THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


WHISPERS 


AND 


;CHOES. 


BY 


DR.    C.    C.    PEET. 


The  whisp'rings  of  the  Soul  we  write ; 

Let  those  who  hear  its  echoes,  read. 
Our  aim,  the  truth  ;  our  object,  good 

To  all  the  children  of  mankind. 


BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED    BY    THE   AUTHOR. 
1882. 


Copyrighted,  1882,  by  C.  C.  PEET. 


Cochrane  &  Sampson,  Printers  and  Stereotypers, 
30  Hromiield  St  ,  Boston. 


fs 


CONTENTS. 


Man.     A  Soliloquy              .            .            .            .  .7 

The  Song  of  a  Flower              ....  38 

Lines  written  in  a  Lady's  Autograph  Album         .  .       41 

Home     .            .            .            .            .            .            .  42 

The  Spirit's  Powers             .             .            .            .  .43 

The  Temple  of  Science             .            .             .             .  48 

Onward  and  Upward           .             .             .            .  .50 

Stop  and  Think              .....  51 

The  End  of  Seeming  Evil              .            .             .  .53 

Love       .......  57 

Dedication  written  in  a  Lady's  Book         .             .  .59 

Can  the  River  cease  its  Motion           .             .             .  60 
Sunset          .......       63 

Never  Give  Up.            .....  65 

'Live  To-day  ......       67 

Desire    .......  68 

I  Live  Not  in  Vain              .  .          .            .             .  .69 

What  is  to  Be    .             .            .             .             .            .  71 

Intellect       .            .            .           .            .  .76 

Song  to  the  Martyrs      .....  80 

Mental  Buckets       ......       83 

From  the  Fount  to  the  Sea                ...  85 

Say  Never  You  Can't          .            .             .             .  .87 

The  Guide's  Farewell  .....  89 

The  Rose  and  I                   .            .            .            .  .92 

The  Unknown  Songster           ....  95 

This  House  of  Mine           .             .             .             .  .97 

Lines  given  by  a  Spirit  at  a  Centennial  Celebration  .  100 
Who  are  the  Rich  ?              .....     104 

What  killed  Dan  McCurry      ....  106 

The  Rose    .            .            .            .            .            .  .108 

Waiting  and  Watching             ....  110 

3 


JV.  CONTENTS. 

Smile  Not  Too  Fondly  on  Me 

Individual  Freedom      ..... 

Wounds       .            •             •            •             •             •  .122 

All  is  Well 

The  Orphan's  Complaint  and  Prayer 

Consistency       ...... 

A  Storm       ...  . 

The  Flowing  Bowl        .            .  136 

Man  fills  the  Place  Nature  fits  Him  for    . 

A  Short  Sermon 

Keep  Thyself  Clean 

Ode  to  my  Mother         .            .            .  153 

This  is  the  Age  of  Reason             .  •     156 

Critics    ....  .159 

Immortality  of  Life             .  •     161 
Keep  Climbing 

Say  What  You  Mean          .            .  .169 

Death     ...                                                 •  172 

The  Soul's  Progress            .  .     174 

Life's  Crown      .             .  176 

Cast  not  Pearls  before  Swine                                   .  .     178 
Consciousness                ..... 

I'm  Just  as  Young,  etc.       .            .  .     181 

Mind  Your  Own  Business        .                                      .  185 
Mind  Musings         .            .            .             .            ...     187 

Ask  Me  not  to  Listen  .            .                                      •  190 

Infinitude     ....                         .  .     195 

A  Pair  of  Old  Shoes    .            .            .            .  197 

Change 199 

Chicago             ......  201 

The  Old  Year 206 

Do  Your  Best    ......  207 

To  a  January  Flower  .....    209 

The  Hermit's  Cell         .....  211 

A  Desire                                          .            .            •  .213 


PREFACE. 


WE  will  not  dedicate  our  thoughts 

To  any  class  of  minds, 
Nor  apologize  to  only  self 

For  writing  out  these  lines. 


*e 


So,  if  any  wish  to  know  what  we 
Have  in  our  brain  been  breeding, 

They'll  know  as  well  as  we  can  tell, 
Or  better,  just  by  reading. 

And  if  a  fault  they  have  to  find, 

Or  criticism  to  offer, 
We  ask  they'll  take  the  bread  we  break, 

And  at  the  chaff  turn  scoffer. 

We  write  what's  here  to  please  ourself, 
Without  strict  regard  t'  measure  : 

So  read,  or  do  the  other  thing, 
For  either  '11  suit  our  pleasure. 

But  if  a  joy  or  truth  is  found 

From  what  we  herein  offer, 
We  shall  have  done  what  we  begun, 

That  was,  —  to  please  the  AUTHOR. 

5 


WHISPEES  AND  ECHOES. 


MAN.     A  SOLILOQUY. 

SHALL  poor,  weak,  vacillating  man 
Presume  omnipotence  to  span; 
Or  bring  omniscience  within  grasp, 
That  all  true  knowledge  he  may  clasp ; 
Explore  where  none  have  ever  trod, 
Bounding  infinity  or  God? 
His  spirit  all  its  powers  display, 
Measure  the  rays  o'  the  Milky  Way, 
Encompass  the  systems  of  worlds  in  space, 
And  bound  the  universe  as  he  would  a  place? 
Dramatize  its  every  part, 
Display  all  science  and  all  art, 
Show  how  came  life,  and  source  of  sense, 
Compete  for  the  omnipotence  ? 
Control  effects  and  rule  all  cause, 
Be  legislator  of  all  laws ; 
Direction  give  to  universe, 
Its  duties  to  mankind  rehearse ; 
1 


WHISPERS   AND    ECHOES. 

When  done  retire  within  his  clay, 

And  reason  self  no  entity? 

Such  is  man  in  his  mental  parts, 

A  microcosm  of  Nature's  arts ; 

From  minute  nerve,  in  tissued  cell, 

To  immortal  mind,  wherein  dwell 

The  primal  elements  of  life 

Which  unfold  happiness  and  strife,  — 

Each  nature's  gifts,  life,  motion  and  sensation, 

Progressive  steps  in  cause,  but  not  creation. 

Man's  spirit  no  contentment  knows, 
But  grasps  the  whole  save  others'  woes ; 
Aspires  above  all  things  to  rise, 
Exploring  earth,  sea,  air  and  skies ; 
Diving  into  the  swelling  tide, 
O'er  mountain  billows  sails  with  pride, 
In  ships  aerial  through  the  air, 
Self-praise  and  power  his  only  care  ; 
His  great  exploits  oft  doth  rehearse, 
His  range  the  boundless  universe, 
Through  which  his  soul,  forever  free, 
Shall  unfold  its  powers  endlessly. 
Man  is  the  key  in  Nature's  arch ; 
Uniting  all  in  upward  march  ; 
Unfolds  a  part  that  will  arise 
Immortal  as  the  deities. 

Aspiration !    engine  of  soul, 
Thy  sister,  Contentment,  behold 


MAN.      A   SOLILOQUY. 

Let  her  sweet  charms  have  sway  in  man, 
Since  life's  a  breath,  and  death  a  span. 

Or,  desiring  a  higher  state, 
Seek  emulation  from  the  great. 
Go,  live  above  gross  passion's  fire, 
Or  at  death  mourn  thy  lost  desire  ; 
Bequeath  to  earth  thy  form  of  clay, 
To  soul  a  realm  of  endless  day. 
Control  yourself,  'fore  others  teach, 
And  ever  practice  what  you  preach  ; 
Live  in  the  present  as  you  would  be, 
And  make  self  devil  or  deity. 

Show  what  thou  art,  how  didst  begin, 
How  much  of  good,  what  part  is  sin ; 
Analyze  self,  life's  problem  solve ; 
See  if  thy  compound  will  dissolve ; 
Know  if  thy  mind  and  powers  of  sense 
Have  ever  been,  when  did  commence  ; 
How  much  of  horse,  dog,  ass  or  ape 
Belongs  to  thee,  thy  mind  and  shape  ; 
Or,  if  thou  dost  aspire  to  sail, 
What  part  is  buzzard,  goose  or  quail. 

Man's  earthly  part  is  simply  beast, 
And  governed  by  what  forms  his  feast ; 
Two  natures  in  one  form  combine, 
The  very  gross  and  very  fine ; 
One  part  formed  for  the  higher  spheres, 
The  other  for  this  world  of  cares; 


10  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

One  part  to  ever  upward  rise 
To  realms  beyond  in  aogel  skies. 

All  develop  the  primal  force 
Which  reveals  their  true  type  and  source ; 
Nature  has  for  each  a  level, 
Hence  none  need  grumble  or  cavil, 
For  each  attracts  its  proper  kind, 
The  soul  like  soul,  and  mind  like  mind : 
Some  natures  of  the  swine  partake, 
While  others  are  more  like  the  snake ; 
Others  resemble  fox  and  bear, 
And  like  propensities  they  share ; 
The  rat  and  skunk  have  human  types, 
The  buzzard,  gull  and  long-legged  snipes ; 
And  each  particular  grunt  or  squawk 
Is  detected  in  human  talk. 

Others,  again,  are  like  the  flowers, 
And  beautiful  as  crystal  showers ; 
With  inspiration's  golden  beams 
Spread  o'er  the  mind  in  brilliant  gleams ; 
Others  in  silvery  tones  are  heard, 
Happy  and  free  as  mountain  bird; 
No  probe  of  reason  finds  a  flaw 
In  Nature's  God  or  Nature's  law. 

Who  shall  expound  to  man  her  will, 
Or  whisper,  Soul,  be  calm  and  still? 
Who  say  thy  sins  are  all  forgiven, 
And  sell  blank  passports  into  heaven  ? 


MAN.      A  SOLILOQUY.  11 

Or  who  shall  know  and  truly  tell 

Where  in  the  future  we  shall  dwell? 

Or  who  grant  that  absolution 

Which  frees  soul  from  sin's  pollution? 

We've  no  need  of  a  go-between 

To  tell  or  show  how  mean  we've  been; 

Nor  ministers  to  pray  and  preach, 

For  law  the  truth  to  all  will  teach ; 

In  everything  are  sermons  found, 

And  common  sense  will  them  expound. 

The  allegory  Adam's  fall, 
And  the  need  of  a  special  call 
To  preach  to  man  true  saving  grace, 
When  Nature's  powers  have  put  in  place, 
Classified  each  thing,  all  races, 
Assigning  all  their  true  places, 
Is  what  Reason  can't  condescend 
To  analyze  or  comprehend. 

Go,  ask  of  minerals  in  earth 
What  gave  them  fqrm  and  grades  of  worth; 
Who  piled  and  squared  them  into  cubes, 
And  moulded  crystals  into  globes ; 
Painted  landscapes  on  agate's  face, 
And  beautified  each  spot  and  place. 
Whence  came  the  diamond  and  its  light, 
The  opal  and  the  ruby  bright  ? 
Who  rules  the  whirlwind  and  the  flood, 
Transforming  each  into  a  good; 


12  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

Lulls  the  tempest  to  gentle  rest, 
Spreads  the  rain  o'er  tlie  mountain's  crest, 
Wafts  it  by  gentle  breeze  along 
To  brighten  earth  with  its  sweet  song? 
The  thunder's  roar  and  lightning's  flame 
Returned  again  from  whence  they  came, 
All  nature,  hushed,  lies  calm  and  still, 
Controlled  by  more  than  human  will. 

"What  being  can  select  his  place, 
And  choose  him  honor  or  disgrace ; 
Or  who  control  that  potent  cause 
That  governs  all  by  perfect  laws? 
'Tis  circumstances  make  the  man, 
And  make  him  leader  of  a  van 
Wherein  march  both  the  clown  and  fool 
Who  support  and  pay  a  tyrant's  rule. 

Man's  destiny  is  fixed  as  fate, 
Notwithstanding  some  loudly  prate 
Arid  tell  who'll  go  to  world  of  bliss, 
And  to  that  other,  worse  than  this. 

Who  knows  but  consciousness  may  end 
With  mankind  here?      Should  Nature  lend 
Her  forces  and  amend  her  rules 
To  please  the  whim  of  canting  fools? 
What  more  are  we  than  forms  of  thought, 
A  state  in  matter  law  has  wrought 
From  everything  beneath  our  kind, 
Unfolded,  moulded  and  refined, 


MAN.      A   SOLILOQUY.  13 

All  living  forms,  both  small  and  great, 

Perfected  till  they  cogitate 

And  develop  powers  of  their  own 

Individual  life  to  enthrone? 

The  eye  of  spirit  ever  sees 

Nature's  vast  powers  and  potencies 

Moving  on  from  low  to  higher, 

Ever  drawing  nearer,  nigher, 

To  that  grand  state  where  they  will  think, 

Forming  a  chain  whose  ev'ry  link 

Connects  the  one  eternal  cause 

To  all  things  here  by  changeless  laws ; 

And  lowest  forms  of  life  we  see, 

And  parts  of  Nature's  mystery. 

What  each  has  felt,  heard,  seen  and  knows, 
All  pain  and  pleasure,  joys  and  woes, 
All  dreams  and  visions  when  at  rest, 
The  love  of  friends  cherished  and  blest, 
All  fancy  paints  of  things  unknown, 
Temptations  felt  and  fears  when  lone, 
The  secrets  of  each  mind  and  heart, 
From  Mem'ry's  throne  can  ne'er  depart. 
Ah !    'tis  mem'ry  that  makes  us  live, 
T'is  from  its  fount  that  all  receive ; 
Life's  experiences  reviews, 
Naught  that  is  asked  does  it  refuse  ; 
It  is  the  clerk  that  Heaven  employs, 
Its  record  time  nor  death  destroys. 


14  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

If,  when  scanning  the  chain  of  life, 
It  shows  links  forged  by  wrong  and  strife, 
'Tis  done  to  point  the  better  way, 
That  from  the  right  none  more  may  stray ; 
'Tis  artist-queen  upon  life's  throne, 
And  photographs  all  work  that's  done ; 
In  judgment's  hall  hangs  life's  great  book, 
That  all  may  see  just  how  they  look, 
And,  by  viewing  each  pictured  page, 
Behold  life's  drama,  play  and  stage. 

What  a  vast  record  it  contains 
Of  noble  deeds,  and  blots  and  stains  ! 
No  thought  or  wish,  formed  or  expressed, 
But  what  is  perfectly  impressed 
Upon  pages  of  its  journal, 
To  be  reviewed  in  realms  supernal. 

Oh,  what  a  panorama  to  behold 
As  the  vast  future  shall  each  act  unfold, 
And  show  all  the  good  or  bad  we  have  done 
Since  life's  unending  race  was  first  begun! 
We  all  amongst  mankind  are  hurled, 
And  have  a  sphere  just  like  the  world  ; 
Some  have  an  orbit  of  their  own, 
Revolving  in  the  bounds  of  home; 
Others  servants,  mere  satellites, 
Ruled  by  larger,  steadier  lights, 
Whilst  others  have  no  place  nor  sphere, 
But,  like  comets,  move  everywhere. 


MAN.      A   SOLILOQUY.  15 

All  have  a  world  to  imitate, 

And  corresponding  light  radiate ; 

Some  bright  and  large,  some  dim  and  small, 

Ever  varying  each  with  all, 

Precisely  like  the  worlds  in  space, 

Orbit,  sphere,  with  a  path  and  place, 

Destined  for  the  same  common  goal, 

Fitted  and  joined,  a  perfect  whole, 

In  harmony  with  Nature's  plan 

As  ordered  when  they  first  began. 

How  vast,  mighty,  incomprehensible, 
Are  the  things  in  view  and  invisible ; 
And  how  beautiful,  grand,  sublime,  the  whole, 
And     the  power  that  guides  and  governs  all ! 

If  microscopic  eyes  had  we, 
Methinks  within  each  brain  could  see 
Living,  moving,  reasoning  germs 
Crawling  throughout  the  mind  like  worms. 

Who  knows  but  lesser  living  forms 
The  brain  of  all  with  gems  adorn? 
Glow-worms,  radiating  reason, 
Forming  us  by  their  cohesion? 
All  is  life,  of  unending  growth, 
That  constant  flows  from  fount  of  truth; 
Truth  is  the  principle  above 
That  forms  the  whole  by  law  of  love. 

The  future  is  an  idle   dream  : 
Who  shall  perceive  time's  unformed  stream? 


16  WHISPERS  AND   ECAOES. 

The  future  there  are  none  can  show; 
Only  the  present  do  we  know. 

Of  things,  that's  been  resolved  upon, 
As  time  moves,  may  be  acted  on 
And  developed,  as  prophesied 
Ten  thousand  years  before  transpired ; 
But  to  know  the  future  to  be 
"Would  forestall  wisdom's  deity. 

Who,  what  shall  exist  before  time  that's  not, 
Supersede  the  present,  the  unknown  blot ! 
Eternity  is  here,  the  present  now ; 
Satisfied,  accept  what  it  will  allow. 

Nature  is  an  endless  and  boundless  cause, 
Sustained  and  ruled  by  immutable  laws ; 
Man  represents  its  primal  mental  sphere, 
Which  the  vast  future  may  unfold  more  clear. 

This  earth  is  but  a  drop,  a  cell 
In  the  infinite  cuticle  ; 
Suns  and  systems  in  realms  of  space, 
Nerves  this  infinite  tissue  face. 
Mankind  are  parts  indefinite, 
Yet  in,  and  of,  the  infinite. 

Why  indulge  in  speculation? 
Externals  but  show  causation ; 
No  parts  exist,  there  is  one  soul : 
Nature  the  endless,  boundless  whole. 

Why  do  ignoble  thoughts  intrude 
Upon  sweet  mem'ry's  solitude, 


MAN.      A   SOLILOQUY.  17 

To  mar  the  beauties  of  the  soul 

By  their  unwise  and  blind  control? 

Why  do  men  seek  that  craven  fare 

Which  basest  natures  only  share ; 

And  why  with  that  which  we  most  loathe 

The  mind  and  body  daily  clothe? 

Shall  man  his  fellow  man  ignore 

Because,  forsooth,  he  cannot  soar 

As  high  up  in  the  arch  of  fame 

As  those  who've  earned  a  greater  name  ? 

The  humblest  player  in  earth's  troupe 

Has  an  honored  place  in  Heaven's  group, 

Where  its  soul's  melody  can  flow 

To  all  above  and  all  below. 

Why  spurn  of  Nature's  works  the  least, 
Be  it  the  insect,  worm  or  beast? 
Has  not  earth  need  of  little  fly, 
With  pretty  microscopic  eye, 
To  show  the  care  which  she  bestows 
On  all  the  germs  of  life  she  grows  ? 
Would  any  impeach  that  great  Cause 
Whose  wisdom  glows  in  all  its  laws, 
And  say  'twas  guilty  of  abuse 
In  unfolding  aught  without  use  ? 
Behold  how  well  are  all  supplied, 
How  close  are  each  to  all  allied, 
Linked  together  in  one  vast  chain, 
Unbroken  ever  to  remain. 


18  WHISPEES   AND   ECHOES. 

As  lesser  numbers  form  the  whole, 
So  one  great  Cause  doth  all  enroll. 
Is  not  each  second,  minute,  hour, 
Ticked  off  on  Time's  eternal  tower? 
Is  not  all  time  of  seconds  made  ? 
Is  not  of  atoms  formed  the  glade  ? 
Is  not  each  part  formed  for  the  whole, 
Ruled  by  one  power,  one  mind,  one  soul? 
The  finny  tribes  of  briny  deep 
Are  fed  with  worms  which  slowly  creep 
Beneath  zoophyte's  sprangly  base, 
Which  covers  ocean's  bed  with  lace ; 
Animalcules  hide  within  the  sponge, 
And  on  its  velvet  fibers  lounge, 
While  parasite,  like  flake  of  gold, 
Shines  from  under  its  wrinkled  fold. 

How  great  the  power,  and  grand  that  art, 
Which  sustains  all  and  rules  each  part ; 
And  how  nicely  does  Nature  paint 
The  gorgeous  robes  of  worm  and  saint ! 
Behold  the  insect's  rainbowed  wings, 
Its  silver  belt  and  golden  rings, 
Its  tiny  beak  and  gay-plumed  crest, 
With  coat  of  down  and  velvet  vest: 
It  is  a  bird  of  insect  brood, 
Yielding  the  sparrow  daily  food. 

The  electric  spark  from  serpent's  gaze 
Sets  its  victim's  nerves  all  ablaze  j 


MAN.      A   SOLILOQUY.  19 

It  fears  to  go,  it  cannot  stay, 

It  tries  to  force  itself  away, 

When  the  deadly  charm  takes  quick  effect, 

And,  if  bird,  flies  down  the  serpent's  neck. 

The  eagle  with  telescopic  sight 
Peers  from  its  crag  on  mountain  height, 
And  views  the  hare  with  panting  breath 
Go  bounding  o'er  the  distant  heath. 

Quick  as  thought,  its  swift  pinions  spread, 
With  fierce  desire  its  mind  is  fed ; 
It  cleaves  the  air  to  plain  below, 
Like  arrow  sped  from  strongest  bow 
It  sails  o'er  where  the  hare  has  stopped; 
Then,  like  meteor  earthward  dropped, 
It  seizes  its  poor,  trembling  prey, 
And  bears  it  to  its  young  away. 

Birds  and  beasts  live  on  each  other, 
One  contributing  to  another ; 
Nothing  e'er  annihilated, 
Everything  as  contemplated ; 
By  natural  processes  refined ; 
Matter  on  its  true  road  to  mind. 

What  is  termed,  by  some,  creation, 
Is  th' external  manifestation 
Of  an  invisible,  living  cause, 
Unfolding  by  aggressive  laws. 
The  loathsome  bug  or  creeping  worm 
Thus  preserves  its  decaying  form, 


20  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Devouring  other  kinds  of  life 

With  which  the  world  is  ripe  and  rife, 

Having  no  other  good  excuse 

Save  pressing  wants  and  present  use. 

Who  shall  presume  to  revive  th'  past, 
Peer  down  eternity's  epochs  vast, 
Unlock  ages  forever  flown, 
To  oblivion's  abyss  gone? 
Or  who  shall  trace  effect  and  cause, 
To  where  preside  their  parent  laws, 
And  with  a  soul  invincible 
Bring  forth  the  master  principle? 
Methinks  that  there  are  none  who  can 
The  history  of  ages  scan, 
Bringing  to  sight  monadic  germ 
Which  robes  itself  in  human  form. 

But,  trusting  that  there  are  within 
Powers  to  aid,  we  will  now  begin, 
And  speculate  upon  the  plan, 
The  origin  and  life  of  man : 
Then,  without  help  of  any  art 
Save  reason,  Truth's  angelic  chart, 
We'll  begin  a  revelation, 
Trusting  the  soul's  inspiration 
For  the  logic  and  argument 
To  sustain  positions  we  present. 

But,  ere  we  this  vast  theme  pursue, 
Our  first  great  duty  we  will  do, — 


MAN.      A  SOLILOQUY.  21 

Offer  up  an  invocation, 

Praying  for  emancipation 

From  everything  which  might  invade, 

Our  subject's  interests  to  degrade. 

Light !   light !   more  light  beam  on  the  soul ! 
Let  truthful  light  the  mind  control, 
Nor  withdraw  its  effulgent  ray 
While  we  shall  with  the  fancies  play. 
Let  all  expressed  be  clear  and  terse 
In  rhythmic  measure,  well-formed  verse, 
That  it  endure  the  critic's  rule, 
Confounding  sceptic,  wit  and  fool. 

May  each  thought  upon  these  pages 
Command  respect  of  wise  sages, 
And  each  professor  of  Nature's  arts 
Find  gems  to  please  their  soul-lit  parts. 

As  the  philosopher's  well-stored  mind 
Reviews  the  links  we've  here  combined, 
May  he  find  each  to  main  chain  held 
By  consistent,  logical  weld. 

And  if,  perchance,  the  chemist's  eye 
Should  new-found  matter  here  espy, 
Let  him  its  properties  assort 
Through  the  fine  powers  of  his  retort, 
And,  like  the  alchemist  of  old, 
Show  what  is  dross  and  what  pure  gold. 

No  plea  we  make,  nor  vain  excuse 
For  what  may  seem  to  some  obtuse  ; 


22  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

The  whole  we  pass  to  human  throng, 
While  muse  and  I  resume  our  song. 

Our  first  position's  an  affirmation, 
That  no  such  thing  as  special  creation 
Can  occur  under  immutable  laws, 
That  nature  unites  both  effect  and  cause. 

Whatever  is  has  eternally  been, 
Be  it  mind,  or  matter,  or  germs  of  men ; 
Nature  is  dual,  throughout  which  we  find 
Two  opposites  in  everything  combined. 

Thus,  good  has  its  counterbalance,  evil,  — 
With  mythical  authors  God  and  Devil. 

Positive  good  with  negative  evil 
Blends  together  upon  nature's  level, 
Uniting  in  everlasting  embrace 
To  unfold  the  forms  of  each  type  and  race. 

In  nature's  substances  are  living  sperms 
Which  unfold  both  the  male  and  female  germs ; 
Each  in  their  order,  by  combinations, 
Form  distinct,  dependent  constellations. 

Where  positive  rules  is  the  masculine ; 
Where  its  opposite,  negative,  feminine. 
The  first  possessed  with  power  to  impregnate  ; 
The  other  receptive  force  to  generate ; 
In  their  union  unfolding  class  and  kind 
Suited  to  the  elements  thus  combined. 

The  mineral  kingdom  rules  the  granite  ; 
Their  union  forms  this  beautiful  planet, 


MAN.      A   SOLILOQUY.  23 

Whose  offspring  is  a  living  trinity, 
A  sublime  and  glorious  unity. 

The  first  that's  evolved  from  their  relation 
Are  different  forms  of  vegetation ; 
Whether  beautiful  fern  or  spranglj  thorn, 
The  waving  grass,  or  the  tall  golden  corn, 
The  sturdy  oak  or  the  towering  pine, 
The  broad-branching  yew,  or  the  climbing  vine, 
Flowers  of  every  kind,  shade  and  color, 
Exhaling  the  most  delightful  odor  ; 
Grains,  seeds,  nuts,  and  fruit  of  delicious  taste, 
To  gladden  man  and  fertilize  the  waste, 
All  contributing  to  th'  animal  race, 
Each  performing  its  true  life-work  in  place, 
Advancing  onward  to  a  higher  goal, 
Unfolding  wherewith  to  sustain  the  soul ; 
Obedient  to  Nature's  perfect  laws, 
The  one  eternal,  primal  wisdom  cause. 

The  next  is  ev'ry  grade  and  kind 
Of  animals  on  earth  we  find, 
From  lowest  class  of  zoophyte 
To  those  of  greatest  power  and  might ; 
From  those  half-formed  in  th'  briny  deep, 
To  the  swift  chargers  that  we  keep, 
Who  turn  their  toecorks  to  the  clouds, 
And  pile  the  winds  in  dusty  shrouds. 

Min'ral  and  granite  combinations 
Have  no  power  of  organization 


24  WHISPEBS   AND  ECHOES. 

Without  the  aid  of  light  and  heat, 
Resultant  forces  as  they  meet ; 
Eliminated  from  earth  and  sun, 
As  each  their  spheres  and  orbits  run. 

From  sun  a  pos'tive  power  descends, 
Which  with  earth's  neg'tive  matter  blends, 
Unfolding  bright  effulgent  rays 
Which  set  the  heavens  all  ablaze. 
Light  and  heat  are  both  created, 
Are  opposite  forces  mated, 
Kissing  each  other  in  the  air, 
Revealing  Nature  pure  and  fair; 
Combining  with  vegetation, 
Unfold  first  forms  of  sensation, 
Which,  blending  with  primates  below, 
Bring  higher  types  of  life  to  view. 


Could  man  behold  the  giant  trees 
Which  waved  their  branches  to  the  breeze 
Ten  thousand  centuries  agone, 
Before  organic  forms  were  known ; 
Could  he  have  pierced  the  close-drawn  veil 
Which  all  the  senses  now  assail, 
And  viewed  the  herbage  that  arose 
From  Nature's  breast  where  they  repose ; 
Then  stood  upon  some  mountain  peak, 
Witnessed  the  awe-inspiring  freak 


MAN.      A  SOLILOQUY.  25 

Of  Nature  with  volcanic  probe, 
As  she  oped  up  this  infant  globe, 
Causing  it  to  belch  liquid  fire, 
As  gratified  her  burning  ire; 

Beheld  ten  thousand  liquid  streams 
Shoot  forth  their  incandescent  gleams, 
And  spread  o'er  valley,  hill  and  plain, 
In  one  vast  sheet  of  glowing  flame ; 
Then  saw  those  monster  forests  break 
Beneath  that  hissing  lava  lake, 
Like  straws  before  the  tempest's  blast, 
When  madly  roaring,  rushing  past. 

Nature  was  wise  in  its  control, 
In  forming  earth's  vast  fields  of  coal, 
T'  supply,  for  ages  yet  unborn, 
Mankind  with  means  to  keep  them  warm. 

What  grandeur  must  have  been  displayed 
Where  thus  in  blazing  flames  arrayed; 
Clothed  in  the  robes  of  shining  light, 
Condensed  for  this  gross  age  of  night. 

When  those  mighty  mountain  ranges, 
Alleghany,  Rocky,  Andes, 
Blue,  Apennines  and  frozen  Alps, 
With  granite  sides  and  fleecy  caps, 
Arose  from  out  the  plain  below, 
To  lave  their  crests  in  waves  of  snow. 

When  Jove  embraced  Alma  Mater, 
And  Vulcan  forged  th'  red-mouthed  crater. 


26  WHISPERS  AND   ECHOES. 

When  old  Jupiter's  thunders  roared, 
Great  floods  and  torrents  streamed  and  poured, 
When  lightnings  pierced  the  rock-bound  cape, 
In  crimson  robes  the  heavens  draped ; 
When  all  the  elemental  wars 
Were  generaled  by  the  warrior  Mars ; 
When  Boreas  howled  with  maddened  breath, 
And  Earth  seemed  in  the  throes  of  death  ; 
When  oceans  foamed,  and  roared,  and  hissed, 
Deep  briny  waves  each  other  kissed, 
Then  dashed  their  heads  'gainst  barren  coasts, 
Like  fabled  Pandemonium's  hosts. 
When  subterranean  caverns  burst, 
And  gaped  and  frowned  like  demons  cursed ; 
When  many  a  dark  dungeon  cave 
Became  the  lonely  quiet  grave 
For  things  the  future  will  reveal 
When  Time  Earth's  caskets  shall  unseal, — 
Exposing  gems  more  pure  and  bright 
Than  aught  that  yet  has  greeted  sight. 

Chaos  seemed  then  the  only  power 
Which  ruled  in  that  appalling  hour, 
While  confusion  swept  th'  world  around, 
Inspiring   but  with  awe  profound. 

Age  on  age  was  then  swallowed  up 
In  oblivion's  unseen  cup, 
While  Nature's  substances  arose, 
Their  inner  beauties  to  disclose. 


MAN.      A  SOLILOQUY.  27 

Gibralter  'nd  Madagascar's  gates, 
Magellan,  Dover,  'nd  Behring's  straits, 
Were  used  as  the  ocean's  highways 
Leading  into  the  gulfs  and  bays. 

Grand,  yet  terribly  terrific, 
Surged  the  waves  of  the  Pacific, 
As  it  sought  its  deep  coral  bed, 
Organic  being's  fountain-head. 
'Twas  gen'ral  exhibition-day, 
When  on  the  stage,  in  full  array, 
Elements  played  scenes  dramatic 
On  the  roaring  stage  aquatic. 

Broad  rivers  flowed,  with  channels  deep, 
Down  frightful  chasms  both  dark  and  steep, 
Plunged  to  abysses  far  beneath, 
Where  misty  vapors  curled  to  wreath 
Dissolving  golden  solar  rays, 
Reflecting  them  on  sparkling  sprays, 
Blending  crimson  shades  with  the  blue, 
Uniting  all  in  rainbow's  hue. 

The  Mississippi  and  Hudson, 
Missouri,  Ganges,  Amazon, 
Jordan,  Nile  and  beautiful  Rhine, 
Where  Bacchus  quaffed  the  rosy  wine, 
Alleghany,  Ohio  and  Styx, 
With  many  others,  Po  and  Pix, 
Are  arteries  and  veins  of  Earth, 
Leading  her  limpid  liquids  forth, 


28  WHISPERS  AND  ECHOES. 

Refreshing  mountain,  vale  and  plain, 
Robing  them  with  sweet  flowers  and  grain. 

Oceans  and  seas  are  vital  parts 
From  whence  her  pulsing  life-tide  starts ; 
The  lakes  and  springs  are  nerves  and   glands, 
Which  spread  themselves  o'er  all  the  lands, 
Beating,  throbbing  at  ev'ry  pore, 
Responsive  to  her  central  core. 

Rocky  Mountains  are  her  back-bone, 
Vertebrated  by  hills  of  stone, 
Through  which  minerals  pure  and  fine 
Form  the  bright  marrow  of  her  spine. 

Expand,  O  Soul!   quaff  Wisdom's  cup, 
Leave  not  undrained  the  smallest  drop, 
Nor  cease  thy  delving  in  her  urn 
Until  that  fount  for  which  you  yearn 
Shall  burst  the  bonds  which  time  has  sealed, 
And  life's  vast  fountain  stands  revealed. 

Explore  matter  for  source  of  mind, 
Array  each  class  and  living  kind, 
Leave  not  unturned  a  leaf  or  plant, 
Till  Nature's  substances  shall  grant 
The  desires  now  infesting  thee, 
And  reveal  this  great  mystery. 

An  inherent  power  is  attraction, 
Unfolding  the  lowest  forms  of  action, 


MAN.      A   SOLILOQUY.  29 

Establishing  the  relation  of  parts 
In  harmony  with  Nature's  laws  and  arts. 
Life  is  the  triumph  of  two  vast  forces, 
That  through  immensity  ever  course, 
Combining,  evolving  and  revealing 
Diverse  objects  of  both  shape  and  feeling. 

Positive  and  negative  forces  act, 
Producing  attraction  as  an  effect ; 
Attraction  develops  a  commotion, 
Which  sets  the  whole  universe  in  motion. 

Motion  produces  elemental  strife, 
Which  expands  to  active,  tangible  life. 

Next,  life  evolves  a  new  dispensation, 
Whence  spring  the  first  true  forms  of  sensation  ; 
Sensation  betrays  the  grand  conscious  link 
When  matter  begins  to  both  feel  and  think  ; 
Unfolding  t'  veg'table  'nd  animal  kind, 
The  lowest  phases  of  instinctive  mind. 

Instinct  is  the  alphabet  of  reason, 
Blossoming  at  observation's  season, 
Expanding  the  intellectual  germs 
That  walk  proudly  the  earth  in  human  forms. 

Mankind  reveal  true  progress  in  knowledge, 
Imparting  it  in  both  school  and  college, 
By  wise  and  scientific  rules  to  guide 
The  human  world  o'er  life's  varying  tide. 

Thus  we  travel  the  trinitarian  rounds, 
In  distinct,  successive,  separate  bounds, 


30  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Revealing  the  true  source  and  cause  of  life 
To  be  force,  motion,  'nd  elemental  strife. 
Knowledge  is  the  base  of  wisdom's  temple, 
Where  moral  precept  and  wise  example 
Subdue  the  uncultivated  flower, 
Training  it  a  thing  of  beauty  and  power. 

Wisdom  is  blossom  of  inspiration, 
Which  blooms  in  garden  of  intuition, 
Exhaling  fragrance  as  pure,  sweet  and  fair 
As  lute-like  whispering  of  a  seraph's  prayer. 
Intuition  bursts  from  the  living  soul, 
Untrammeled  and  free  from  the  least  control ; 
Sweeping  infinity  in  its  advance, 
Comprehending  all  at  a  single  glance ; 
A  grand  highway  to  the  great  throne  of  truth, 
That  beautiful  river  whose  source  and  mouth 
Are  locked  in  the  unknowable  unknown, 
Flowing  onward,  upward,  forever  on. 

It  is  the  melody  of  angel  world, 
In  which  all  truth  is  deeply  impearled ; 
It  is  the  soul's  eternal  glowing  fire, 
Which  gives  birth  and  being  to  all  desire. 
'Tis  the  link  to  spirituality, 
Demonstrable  proof  of  immortality; 
It  is  the  highest  power  of  soul  and  mind, 
It  is  wisdom  and  knowledge  both  combined, 
Alluring  mankind  on  to  realms  above, 
Where  harmony  wafts  its  sweet  strains  of  love. 


MAN.      A  SOLILOQUY.  31 

But  let  us  now  once  more  our  steps  retrace, 
And  review  the  points  that  these  thoughts  em 
brace, 

Producing  the  best  of  reasoning  proof 
To  shuttle  together  this  warp  and  woof, 
That  all  those  who  may  seek  shall  find  it  made 
Of  plausible  stuff  and  logical  shade. 

We  will  view  life  first  in  minutest  form, 
Where  it  appears  in  endless  shapes  to  swarm ; 
A  vast  infusorial,  unseen  brood, 
The  material  universe  doth  flood. 

As  increasing  powers  of  the  microscope 
Transform  to  a  vast  sea  a  single  drop, 
Revealing  it  filled  with  unimalcula, 
With  as  much  space  in  which  to  move  and  play 
As  would  have  a  minnow  in  Erie's  lake, 
Or  in  the  Pacific  the  smallest  snake, — 
So  every  part  of  immensity 
Is  as  full  of  life  as  that  tiny  sea. 

'Tis  in  the  ground  and  in  the  air, 
Above,  below,  and  ev'rywhere ; 
On  leaf  and  bud,  in  running  brook, 
In  ev'ry  cranny,  niche  and  nook  ; 
On  flow'ring  shrub  and  creeping  vine, 
In  all  the  coarse  as  well  as  fine ; 
On  blade  and  stalk  of  plant  and  grass, 
One  grand,  living  and  moving  mass: 


32  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

On  the  surface  and  underneath, 
In  ev'ry  atom  which  we  breathe, 
In  what  we  eat  and  what  we  drink, 
In  all  the  thoughts  we  daily  think, 
Ev'ry  thing  has  motion  and  strife, 
With  some  peculiar  form  of  life. 

Nature  is  one,  comprising  all ; 
Its  many  parts  form  but  one  whole ; 
Its  body  ours,  its  spirit  too, 
Its  life  our  life  and  all  we  view ; 
Its  laws,  they  move  the  upper  world, 
And  every  form  that's  here  unfurled: 
No  spot  or  place  but  what  it  fills, 
Unfolding  whatsoe'er  Love  wills. 

For  Love  is  the  one  endless  cause, 
The  author  of  all  life  and  laws. 
'Tis  it  that  gives  us  being  here, 
And  keeps  us  in  the  higher  sphere. 


Unbind  my  soul,  ye  clods  of  clay ; 
I  fain  would  mount  to  worlds  away. 
Let  go,  ye  chains,  forged  by  a  fate 
Which  binds  me  to  this  first  estate : 
Why  hold  to  this  dark  world  so  drear, 
When  awaits  a  far  brighter  sphere  ? 
Loose,  loose  these  bands,  I  do  implore, 
And  let  ray  spirit  upward  soar: 


MAN.      A   SOLILOQUY.  33 

The  truth  has  quickened  sight  and  sense : 
I  am  prepared :    oh,  let  me  hence ! 
In  that  spirit  realm  I  would  soar  away, 
And  on  some  peaceful,  ethereal  bay- 
Would  launch  my  life-bark  to  the  swiftest  gale, 
And  hoist  both  aspiration's  flag  and  sail. 

I'd  cruise  the  great  ocean  of  skies  all  through, 
Would  bathe  my  new-born  soul  in  seas  of  blue  ; 
Would  coast  through  the  infinite  realms  of  space, 
Searching  for  a  nobler,  mightier  race ; 
I'd  outspeed  the  light  of  the  lightning's  flash, 
I  would  ride  the  race  with  swift  spur  and  lash, 
Till  I'd  anchored  ship  in  some  fair  harbor, 
And  slept  my  soul  in  an  angel's  arbor. 

I  would  view  the  flowers  of  that  pure  Aiden, 
And  court  the  charms  of  her  fairest  maiden ; 
Would  taste  the  fruits  of  her  Eden  garden, 
Nor  think  it  a  sin  which  needed  pardon  ; 
I  would  scent  the  sweets  of  angel  roses, 
And  behold  where  the  god  of  love  reposes. 

The  noblest  works   in  that  immortal  land, 
Fresh  from  Causation's  skilled  artistic  hand, 
I  would  inspect  with  my  soul's  unbound  powers 
As  I  traversed  her  grandest  floral  bowers. 

I'd  visit  her  academies  of  art, 
And  obtain  a  view  of  the  heavenly  chart: 
Would  acquaint  myself  with  the  noblest  races 
That  adorn  that  land  of  gods  and  graces  j 


34  WHISPERS  AND  ECHOES. 

Would  see  if  Earth  has   children  there, 
Or  if  each  world  has  a  heaven  where 
Will  meet  the  beautiful  spirit  forms 
That  this  sphere  of  being  adorn ; 
Or  if  each  sphere  a  heaven  owns 
Wherein  to  furnish  spirits'  homes ; 
Or  whether  there  is  one  general  heaven 
That  to  Nature's  family  will  be  given: 
And,  when  the  truth  I  had  found,  would  bring  it, 
And  to  the  people  of  earth  I'd  sing  it. 

For  spiritual  things  I'd  ask  Plato; 
For  music  and  verse,  Homer  and  Cato ; 
Of  tyrant  Nero,  for  honor  stolen; 
For  principles  and  laws,  wise  old  Solon. 

When  I  had  satiated  ev'ry  desire, 
And  nothing  more  there  could  my  mind  inspire, 
I  would  revisit  the  scenes  of  this  earth 
To  discover  source  of  the  spirit's  birth. 

Would  study  all  causes,  effects  disclose, 
Would  seek  the  fountain  where  all  germs  repose  ; 
Would  behold  that  kind,  or  combination, 
That  unfolds  the  forms  of  vegetation ; 
Germ-essences  I  would  investigate, 
The  language  of  matter  I  would  translate ; 
I  would  see  and  know  how  man's  unfolded, 
And  how  earth's  different  germs  are  moulded : 

The  kingdom  of  parasites  I'd  invade, 
Monads  and  animalcula  parade, 


MAN.      A   SOLILOQUY.  35 

Until  I  found  how  monerons  began, 

And  traced  them,  link  by  link,  to  godlike  man. 

The  mineral  kingdom  I  would  pass  through, 
And  find  what  each  mineral  has  to  do ; 
Discover  its  relation  to  granite, 
And  the  true  effects  produced  upon  it. 

Perhaps  I  might  within  their  union  find 
The  primal  force  of  both  motion  and  mind, 
Or  at  least  discover  a  moving  cause 
That  develops  life  through  progressive  laws  : 
A  positive  and  passive  polar  force 
Directs  the  whole  and  shapes  each  atom's  course, 
And,  as  one  or  other  predominates, 
So  change  our  moods,  tastes,  feelings  and  states ; 
Which  accounts  for  being  at  times  attracted, 
Then  at  others  by  the  same  rejected. 

Ascending  the  scale  to  vegetation, 
I  should  find  out  where  begins  sensation. 
The  sensitive  plant  shows  true  conscious  pow 
ers, 

Else  why  recoils  it  at  slight  touch  of  ours  ? 
It  knows  by  a  sense  as  clear  as  seeing 
What  is  in  harmony  with  its  being ; 
Its  fibrous  feeders  sap  life  from  the  clay, 
As  it  embraces  dew  and  sun's  bright  ray; 
Is  as  perfect  a  type  of  conscious  sense 
As  those  who  far  greater  wisdom  dispense. 


36  •WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Another  step  upon  life's  scale, 
And  what  is  this  the  senses  hail  ? 
Some  higher  type,  a  diff'rent  race  — 
But  where's  its  home,  its  native  place  ? 
Ah!   here  the  problem's  surely  solved, 
Where  earth's  salts  are  all  dissolved, — 
The  ocean's  bed,  the  parent  womb, 
From  which  this  higher  type  has  bloomed. 
Here  is  shade  of  reason,  instinct ; 
Here  we  behold  the  missing  link ; 
Both  kingdoms  together  moulded, 
With  organic  life  unfolded : 
Here  the  germ  of  life  we  border, 
Here  are  found  the  law  and  order  ; 
Here  is  where  true  love  descended, 
And  all  forces  interblended ; 
Here  is  where  the  great  causation, 
Love,  first  unfolded  sensation, 
And  onward,  upward,  through  each  station, 
Forms  many  a  grand  constellation  ; 
Unfolding  all  in  air  and  sea, 
Ascending,  clasps  humanity. 

Moses  termed  this  the  creation ; 
Here  is  seen  our  true  relation 
To  all  the  diff'rent  forms  of  dust 
That  crawl  or  walk  on  this  earth's  crust. 

From  this  point  is  comprehended 
How  nature's  substances  are  blended ; 


MAN.      A  SOLILOQUY.  37 

Here  we  see  whence  all  forms  arise 
To  bless  the  earth  and  kiss  the  skies. 

First  the  minerals  and  granite 
Unite  to  form  this  fair  planet. 
From  their  union  come  buds  and  flowers. 
Forming  beautiful,  fragrant  bowers. 

Then  others  into  being  spring 
With  glad  and  joyous  welcoming ; 
Higher  types,  each  one  succeeding, 
Onward,  upward,  ever  speeding, 
Leave  vegetable,  onward  pass 
Through  each  kingdom  and  each  class ; 
Nor  will  cease  until  nature's  plan 
Shall  have  unfolded  perfect  man. 


WHISPERS. 

IDEAS  are  the  wedges,  and  thought  is  the  great 
lever,  with  which  we  open  the  hidden  and  mys 
terious  vaults  of  nature. 

Whoso  oppresses  or  enslaves  another  unjustly, 
Is  a  traitor  to   the  right,  and  a  disgrace   to  hu 
manity. 


38  WHISPEES   AND   ECHOES. 


THE  SONG  OF  A  FLOWER. 

WITHIN  the  nebulous  matter, 

That  the  sun,  long  seons  past, 
From  its  bright  and  blazing  surface 

Upon  space's  ocean  cast, 
Did  I  float  for  untold  ages, 

Ere  the  earth  an  orbit  knew, 
Or  the  shining  rays  of  sunlight 

Had  its  atmosphere  crept  through. 

Then,  by  natural  attraction, 

I  descended  into  earth, 
Where  I  found  a  chemist-artist 

That  could  comprehend  my  worth; 
Who  brought  me  unto  the  surface, 

Bathed  my  soul  in  crystal  dew, 
When  I  felt  a  thrill  of  pleasure, 

Coursing  all  my  being  through. 


THE  SONG  OF  A  FLOWER.  39 

Then  one  morn,  as  I  lay  musing 

By  a  great  rock  'neath  the  hill, 
There  came  rippling,   dancing  by  me 

A  sweet  little  babbling  rill. 
I  but  touched  its  crystal  surface, 

When  my  soul  it  gave  a  bound, 
And  my  bright  and  shining  petals 

Opened  to  the  world  around. 

I  drank  in  the  golden  sunlight, 

I  inhaled  the  balmy  air ; 
My  spirit  it  grew  beautiful, 

And  my  form  became  more  fair, 
Till  my  heart  it  could  no  longer 

Hold  the  sweet  nepenthe  wine, 
That  so  thrilled  and  filled  my  being 

With  a  love  that  seemed  divine. 

So  I  oped  a  little  chalice 

That  led  down  into  my  heart, 
That  the  sweetness  which  so  filled  me 

/  to  others  might  impart: 
For  a  voice  within  my  spirit 

Seemed  to  whisper  this  to  me, 
"  That  the  more  I  gave  to  others, 

The  happier  _Z~  would  be." 


40  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Then  upon  the  airs  I  scattered 

My  dear  treasures  far  and  wide, 
And  my  soul  was  filled  with  gladness 

As  I  watched  with  modest  pride 
The  sweet  smiles  of  joyous  welcome 

That  were  met  with  everywhere 
By  the  delicate  rich  fragrance 

I  had  cast  upon  the  air. 

When  my  mission  here  is  ended 

To  a  higher  sphere  I'll  go, 
Where  I  hope  to  make  all  happy 

By  the  blessings  I  bestow: 
For  I  have  a  rich  libation 

I  would  to  the  angels  pour 
When  I  ope  my  crimson  petals 

On  their  bright  and  slimmo-  shore. 


Soon  I'll  gather  the  bright  jewels 

I  have  won  upon  the  earth 
In  a  little  tiny  casket ; 

I  will  send  them  fleeting  forth 
To  that  upper  world  of  beauty, 

In  the  angel's  watchful  care, 
Whose  pure  love  and  gentle  guidance 

Ev'ry  form  of  life  doth  share ; 


LINES   WRITTEN   IN  A  LADY'S  ALBUM.  41 

Where,  if  you  would  come  and  see  me, 

Live  the  life  that  I  have  lived, 
Imparting  unto  all  others 

The  rich  treasures  here  received, 
Then,  when  through  its  gates  you  enter, 

I  will  call  you  to  my  bower, 
And  teach  your  young  infant  spirit, 

The  song  of  the  spirit  flower. 


LINES    WRITTEN    IN    A    LADY'S    AUTO 
GRAPH    ALBUM. 

JANUARY  1,  1878. 

Mr  name  is  one  that  friends  and  foes 
In  blackened  characters  disclose, 
Whilst  those  above,  who  view  me  right, 
Clothe  it  in  robes  of  purest  white. 
So,  Lady,  owner  of  this  book, 
On  this  poor  autograph  ne'er  look, 
But  view  that  written  in  the  skies 
By  deeds  which  bring  sweet  memories. 


42  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 


HOME. 

HOME  is  where  gather  the  friends  that  we  love, 
No  matter  the  place  that  we  stay  or  may  rove  : 
Wherever  the  heart  is,  in  hovel  or  cot, 
Oh !    there  is  the  home  that  is  never  forgot. 

Home  is  where  all  that  is  true  doth  abound, 
Where  love  never  slumbers,  and  virtue  is  found, 
Where  kindness  doth  rule  both  the  husband  and 

wife, 
And  charity  excludes  contention  and  strife. 

Where  a  sweet,  smiling  face  is  met  at  the  close 
Of  a  long  day  of  toil,  to  calm  the  heart's  woes, 
And  right  royal  greetings  from  those  we  love  best 
Welcome  the  worn,  weary  pilgrim  to  his  rest. 

Home  is  a  kingdom  where  the  humblest  are  kings, 
Sceptered  and  crowned  by  true  love's  offerings. 
No  vassals  exist  in  its  sacred  abode, 
For  all  feel  and  use  the  true  freedom  of  God. 


THE   SPIRIT'S   POWERS.  43 


THE   SPIRIT'S   POWERS. 

WOULDST  thou  the  powers  of  the  spirit  know? 

Look  out.  upon  this  great  broad  universe, 

Its  systems  of  worlds,  their  motion,  their  life, 

All  their  forces,  positive  and  passive, 

Expanding,  unfolding,  developing, 

Endlessly  changing  and  multiplying, 

Bringing  into  existence  countless  forms 

As  diverse  in  their  mould  and  soul-demands 

As  atoms  forming  it  are  numerous. 

Man  is  a  nucleus  of  conscious  force, 
With  capacities  grand  and  infinite. 

Standing  out  upon  the  material; 
His  soul  linked  to  the  imponderable, 
He  wrenches,  from  vast  nature's  treasury, 
The  immortal  gems  of  inspiration ; 
And  launches  them  upon  the  tide  of  mind, 
Which  e'er  ebbs  and  flows,  between  the  finite, 
And  grand  inexhaustible  infinite. 

He  feels  the  capacities  of   the  soul 
Expand ;  until  they  are  as  broad  and  deep, 
As  that  from  which  they  spring  is  beautiful. 


44  WHISPERS  AND   ECHOES. 

Man's  destiny  is  never-ending  growth, 
And  the  aspirations  impelling  him 
Must  continue ;    so  long  as  shall  remain, 
One  truth  or  principle,  law  or  power, 
In  Nature's  domain  uncomprehended. 

Ye  wise,  in  view  of  this  your  wisdom  weigh ; 
Behold  unmasked  the  world's  classic  heroes, 
Its  sages,  its   philosophers,  its  fools. 

As  are  our  years  here  to  eternity, 
So  proportioned  to  the  omniscient,  are 
The  grand  rhetoric  and  logic  of  man. 

In  unfolding,  motes  in  sunbeams  floating, 
Or  on  animalcula,  parasites  ; 
The  operation  of  Nature's  forces, 
And  the  laws  governing  evolution, 
Are  as  perfect,  as  those  forming  highest 
And  most  exalted  intelligences. 

Those  beauties  that  are  imperceptible 
To  the  external  senses  of  being, 
Are  as  grand  and  gorgeous,  when  magnified, 
As  the  shining  robes    of  heaven's  seraphs : 
And  yet  the  power  which  develops  them, 
With  all  other  forms  in  the  vegetable 
And  animal  world,  shall  be  man's  study, 
In  th'  eternity  which  lies  before  him. 

What  grand  labor  awaits  the  soul's  powers ! 
What  beautiful  occupation  of  mind, 
The  chemistry  of  life,   to  comprehend ! 


THE  SPIRIT'S  POWERS.  45 

To  sit/  by  some  bubbling,  sparkling  fountain, 
In  a  bright,  ambrosial  plen,  where  music 
Wafts  inspiring  strains  to  illume  the  soul ; 
And  there  select,  and  form  as  Nature  does, 
The  spotless  lily,  or  the  fragrant  rose ; 
Breathing  into  them,  that  nectar  of  life  ; 
Which  shall  make  them  forever  immortal. 

Or,   delving  still  deeper  into  nature, 
Trace  her  mystic  powers,  as  they  expand 
The  diverse  infusorial  life  forms 
Which  seem  to  float  upon  the  airy  wing 
Of  nothingness.      Organized  perfectly  ; 
Possessing  as  much  symmetric  beauty, 
As  the  bright-robed  throng  that  chant  their  praises  ; 
To  that  eternal  cause  from  whence  they  sprang. 

Perfect  in  all  their  parts  and  life  powers, 
Yet  diminutive  t'  that  extreme  degree ; 
That  full  ten  thousand  of  their  forms  condensed, 
Would  hardly  be  visible  to  sight's  sense. 
Endowed  by  Nature  with  the  legacies, 
Of  life,  motion,  sensation,  enjoyment. 

Or,  when  having  travelled  through  this  portion 
Of  causation's  laboratory,  explore 
The  past  unwritten  history,  which  has 
Been  photographed  upon  the  rocks  and  hills, 
Or  buried  deep  among  the  fossil  forms, 
That  existed  millions  of  years  ago, 
Upon  this  grand  world  which  we  inhabit. 


46  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

Go  back  upon  the  pathway  of  King  Time, 
And  follow  his  fusions  of  force,  through  all 
Departments  of  being,  viewing  how  each 
Is  composed,  how  sustained,  and  how  refined. 

The  relationship  of  spirit  matter 
To  the  grosser  substances  of  nature, 
Then,  with  telescopic  vision,  peer  down 
Time's  future  pathway,  and  view  the  grandeur, 
And  glory,  and  power  that  will  crown  all, 
Bless  all,  and  make  all  happy  evermore. 

Aye,  even  now  the  comprehensive  soul 
Is  strengthened  at  inspiration's  fountain ; 
It  marches  in  advance  of  the  present, 
A  thousand  years,  and  beholds  earth's  children, 
That  are  now  pinched  with  poverty  and  want, 
Ignorant,  wandering  in  gross  darkness, 
Full  of  imperfections  and  misery, 
Progress  out  and  from  this  degradation 
And  darkness,  into  light  divinely  bright; 
Their  raiment  golden  as  the  morning  sun  ; 
Their  faces  glowing,  radiant,  beaming, 
Singing  anthems  of  praise  to  weary  souls, 
Struggling  with  burdens  of  experience 
In  this  lower  department  of  being. 

Almighty  Power,  Divinest   Wisdom, 
Source  of  all  truth,  love  and  inspiration ; 
As  we  drink  in  comprehensive  forces, 
From  thy  inexhaustible  flowing  streams, 


THE   SPIRIT  S   POWERS.  4 

Our  souls  expand,  until  we  are  no  more 

In  bondage,  to  the  conditions  of  time 

And  things  material,  but  feel  that  we 

Are  parts  of  this  great,  grand  omniscient  cause, 

And  as  such  must  become  acquainted  with 

All  forces,  laws,  powers  and  principles, 

Belonging,  controlling  and  governing, 

In  each  and  every  department  of 

Vegetable,  animal  and  even 

Spiritual  existence;  that  has  been, 

Now  is,  or  will  be  upon  each  and  all 

The  different  plains,  worlds  and  systems  which 

Unite  in  forming  this  grand  universe. 

But  when  will  all  this  be  ?    whispers  the  soul ; 

And  the  voice  of  inspiration  answers, — 

Eternity  alone  can  reveal  it. 


WHISPERS. 

PARADE  not  another's  faults  before  the  world, 
but  rather  magnify  their  virtues,  that  they  may 
be  encouraged  in  well-doing. 

Hast  thou  aught  to  say  of  another  ?  Let  it  be 
in  praise  of  his  virtues. 


48  WHISPERS  AND   ECHOES. 


THE   TEMPLE   OP   SCIENCE. 

THE  temple  of  science  is  the  temple  of  sense ; 
Its  foundation  is  logic,  and  right  its  defense  ; 
Knowledge  and  wisdom,  its  beams  of  support ; 
Truth  its  great  tower,  and  reason  its  court. 

Investigation  the  wall  that  shuts  out 
Error,  uncertainty,  folly  and  doubt; 
Proof  and  demonstration,  gates  that  admit 
Forces  and  products  of  nature  to  it. 

Law  is  the  master,  supreme  over  all ; 
Spirit  and  matter  respond  to  his  call, — 
Life,  death  and  destruction,  change  and  decay, 
The  servants  that  hasten  his  will  to  obey. 

All  who  would  in  this  great,  grand  temple  live, 
And  of  its  bounty  and  blessings  receive, 
Must  worship  the  truth  that  law  brings  to  light, 
Nor  swerve  from  justice  in  questions  of  right. 

No  matter  for  dogmas  the  past  has  received, 
No  matter  for  doctrines  some  have  believed ; 
For,  as  darkness  withdraws  at  dawn  of  day, 
So  all  that  is  error  must  vanish  away. 


THE   TEMPLE   OF   SCIENCE.  49 

Error  in  kingdoms  and  error  in  kings, 
Emperors,  presidents,  their  underlings ; 
Error  of  governments,  the  Church  and  State : 
For  all  that  is  false  there  is  but  one  fate. 

It  must  descend  into  eternal  shade, 
And  in  the  grave  of  oblivion  be  laid ; 
The  true  and  truthful  alone  will  remain 
O'er  the  vast  empire  of  Nature  to  reign. 


WHISPERS. 

GATHER  the  roses  that  blossom  to-day, 

Seek  not  of  the  future  to  borrow ; 
The  storms  of  a  night  may  chase  them  away, 
>  And  leave  but  dead  leaves  for  to-morrow. 

Scatter  thy  charities,  scatter  them  now, 
Wait  not  for  the  public  to  -view  them ; 

Angels  are  coming  to  deck  thy  fair  brow 
With  greater ;  so  haste  and  bestow  them. 


50  "WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 


ONWARD   AND   UPWARD. 

ONWARD,  upward  I    Let  thy  spirit 
Soar  to  realms  of  truth  and  light; 

Never  falter  in  well-doing ; 
Holy  angels  guard  the  right. 

Griefs  will  come,  and  earthly  sorrows, 
But  not  to  crush  or  keep  down : 

They  are  needful  to  unfold  us, 

E'er  we  claim  the  star-gemmed  crown. 

They  are  like  the  clouds  of  summer 
Bringing  tempest,  storm  and  showers ; 

Tears  are  but  bright  little  raindrops, 
Pelting  sweetness  from  our  flowers. 

Smiles  are  sunbeams  to  the  spirit, 

Bringing  joy  into  the  heart, 
Causing  buds  of  love  and  beauty 

Into  life  and  being  start. 

Then,  let  clouds  or  sun  await  us, 
Smiles  or  frowns,  they  all  are  good; 

One  as  needful  as  the  other, 

When  God's  laws  are  understood. 


STOP   AND   THINK.  51 


STOP  AND   THINK. 

THE  pathway  of  life  has  some  very  short  turns, 
And  often  runs  near  a  precipitous  brink  ; 

And  travellers  are  wise,  when  the  way  is  obscure, 
Who  seat   themselves   down   for   a  moment    to 
think. 

-Young  man,  when   another  would  tempt  you  to 

stray, 
From    temperance    and   virtue    to    passion    and 

drink, 

Before  the  vile  poison  is  placed  to  your  lips, 
Just  take  this  advice,  Stop  a  moment  and  think. 

Think  of  that  dear  mother  who  loved  you   when 

young, 

Your  father  and  brothers  and  sweet  sisters  too  ; 
Of  your  neighbors  and  friends,  the  grief,  and  the 

tears 
That  all  would  be  shedding  in  sorrow  for  you. 

Young  lady,  beware  of  the  tempter's  base  snares ; 

Remember  how  low  the  polluted  may  sink  ; 
Your  virtue  and  honor  keep  sacred  and  pure  ; 

Of  their  value  to  you  stop  a  moment  and  think. 


52  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

Think  of  what  you  are  now,  and  what  you  would 
be 

If  cast  off  by  friends  on  life's  billowy  tide  ; 
Existence  a  burden  from  which  you  would  flee ; 

Content,  could  you  into  oblivion  glide  ? 

Old  man,  when   you're   asked  for  your   name   to 
secure 

Another,  that  he  may  get  out  of  a  kink, 
'Twill  be  well  ere  do  it  to  look  to  the  end, 

And  take  a  long  time  o'er  the  matter  to  think. 

Think  if  you  are  able  to  lose  the  amount 

Providing    your   friend    should    not    meet    the 
demand ; 

And  if  it  be  right  to  impoverish  your  home, 
That  others  may  live  on  the  fat  of  the  land. 


WHISPERS. 

BE  not  forward  in  advising  others  unsought, 
lest  thy  counsels  be  deemed  too  cheap  to  be 
valuable. 

Envy  and  jealousy  are  acids  which  curdle  thy 
better  nature,  and  make  sour  the  whole  family 
of  man. 


THE  END  OF   SEEMING   EVIL.  53 


THE  END  OF  SEEMING  EVIL. 

As  I  sat  gazing  upon  a  beautiful  landscape  that 
Nature's  artistic  hand  had  drawn  and  painted 
on  the  fair  bosom  of  Mother  Earth,  inhaling  the 
aroma  of  countless  flowers  distilled  and  exhaled  in 
sweet  and  pure  thanksgivings  for  the  boon  of  life, 
listening  to  the  songs  of  gladness  that  trilled  in 
rippling  warblings  from  the  happy  throats  of  joy 
ous  birds,  dancing  and  carolling  amid  the  bend 
ing  boughs  above,  each  giving  expression  to  the 
ruling  powers  and  laws  of  its  particular  being, 
I  caught  the  lightning's  vivid  gleam  as  it  crim 
soned  the  azure  dome  above  and  shot  its  forked 
tongue  athwart  the  bending  archway  overhead. 
Then  as  I  listened  to  the  deep,  jarring,  rumbling 
wheels  of  Jove's  mighty  thundering  chariot,  as  it 
roared  through  the  heavens,  followed  by  the  fierce 
flying  steeds  of  Boreas,  spreading  dense  shadow 
over  all  this  beautiful  picture  of  light  and  shade, 
hiding  from  sight  the  golden  splendor  of  the  great 
King  of  Day,  my  soul  became  enraptured  with  the 
inspiration  of  the  hour,  and  the  grandeur  on  every 
hand  displayed,  and  I  exclamed,  How  sublime,  how 


54  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

beautiful  and  majestic  is  Nature  in  all  her  parts, 
when  rightly  viewed  and  properly  comprehended ! 
Birds  and  flowers,  sunshine  and  shadow,  calm  and 
storm,  day  and  night,  mind  and  matter,  all  acting 
under  and  obedient  to  the  eternal  laws  of  evolution  ; 
order  and  harmony  entering  and  taking  their  re 
spective  places  in  this  grand  tableau  of  the  infinite  ! 
And  I  asked,  Wherefore  the  need  of  such  magnifi 
cent  display,  when  so  few  seem  to  appreciate  and 
enjoy  it  ?  And  Causation  came  forward  and  touched 
my  soul  with  comprehension's  magic  wand,  when 
my  perceptions  were  quickened,  and  I  saw  that  such 
are  the  modes  and  methods  of  force,  and  the  sub 
stances  it  controls,  and  that  Nature  unfolds  the 
highest  powers  and  properties  she  possesses  as 
much  in  the  wilderness  and  desert  as  in  the  fertile 
plain  and  flowery  mead;  as  much  in  the  unin 
habited  as  the  inhabited  parts  of  the  world ;  that 
her  blessings  fall  as  bountifully  upon  those  called 
barbarian  as  the  civilized  and  Christian  ;  that  no 
partiality  is  manifested  in  any  of  her  grand  work 
ings,  that  what  appears  to  the  superficial  observer 
as  a  clashing  of  antagonistic  powers,  are  but  effects 
wrought  out  and  brought  to  view  by  inherent  affin- 
itizing  laws,  bringing  together,  separating,  recom- 
bining,  reconstructing,  reorganizing  and  developing 
new  combinations,  new  relations  and  new  organiza 
tions  possessing  greater  powers,  higher  properties, 


THE  END   OF   SEEMING   EVIL.  55 

purer  qualities  and  sublimer  influences  than  were 
manifested  in  the  preceding.  Then  the  retro 
spective  processes  of  mind  recoiled  upon  the  axis 
of  time,  and  took  me  back  amid  experiences  and 
trials,  that  swept  over  my  being  like  monster  ava 
lanches,  crushing,  grinding  and  destroying  many 
cherished  heart  idols,  rilling  my  mind  with  sadness 
and  my  soul  with  pain ;  devastating  and  laying 
waste  the  beautiful  garden,  wherein  I  had  nourished 
and  trained  many  bright  blossoms  of  thought,  many 
fair  hopes  and  sweet  anticipations,  that  bore  me  joy 
unspeakable ;  ruin  made  visible  everywhere,  deep, 
dense,  desolate  and  complete.  But  when  the  ordeal 
was  past,  that  eternal  harmony,  which  dwells  in 
Nature's  forces,  out  of  this  chaos  builded  me  a 
fairer  garden,  with  sweeter  flowers,  deeper  foun 
tains,  broader  isles,  grander  promenades,  and  more 
musical  birds  than  fancy  had  e'er  pictured  me.  It 
was  then  I  saw  and  comprehended  the  necessity  of 
this  seeming  devastation.  Within  my  first  garden 
there  were  soils  that  could  not  be  cultivated,  weeds 
that  could  not  be  eradicated,  and  obstructions  that 
could  not  be  removed  without  tearing  down  the  old. 
But  I  found,  upon  a  careful  survey  of  the  new,  that 
everything  that  possessed  true  value  had  been  trans 
planted  therein,  and  that  the  only  loss  I  had  sus 
tained  was  noxious  weeds  and  loathsome  excres 
cences  that  had  been  accumulating  for  years.  False 


56  .WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

culture,  false  systems  and  a  lack  of  proper  methods 
in  the  first,  made  it  necessary  that  it  should  pass 
away,  that  a  second  might  take  its  place,  more  com 
plete  in  its  arrangements,  perfect  in  its  appoint 
ments,  and  sublime  in  its  artistic  grandeur. 

And  my  delighted  Muse  attuned  her  harp  anew, 
and  sang,  — 

Man's  comprehension  is  too  weak 
To  view  and  grasp  the  whole  ; 
His  tongue  too  poor  to  ever  speak 
The  harmonies  that  constant  break 
From  the  eternal  soul. 

How  grand  is  Nature's  ev'ry  part! 

How  perfect  ev'ry  law, 
For  all,  life's  ebbing  tide  doth  start, 
For  all,  pulsates  her  throbbing  heart, 

Without  one  break  or  flaw. 


WHISPERS. 


TRUTH  needs  no  herald  to  tell  of  its  approach : 
It  is  everywhere  present,  could  we  but  perceive  it. 


LOVE.  57 


LOVE. 

LOVE  is  the  haven  of  our  hope, 

The  source  of  all  worldly  bliss ; 
It  makes  earth  a  paradise, 
Life's  desert  a  great  oasis, 

Where  the  spirit  gathers  flowers 
From  the  heart's  ambrosial  bowers. 

Love  is  the  heaven  that  is  sought 

By  the  angel  of  the  soul, 
And  will  not  divided  be, 
For  it  is  a  perfect  whole : 
Love  that  only  cares  for  one 
Soon  will  end  by  loving  none. 

Love  is  gentle,  pure  and  kind, 

Modest,  pretty  and  refined ; 
Always  shining  through  the   eyes, 
Like  the  stars  in  azure  skies; 
Is  the  god  that  all  adore 
And  most  humbly  bow  before. 


58  WHISPERS   AJTD   ECHOES. 

Love  doth  banish  fear  and  hate, 
Tells  each  being  to  be  great; 
Is  the  end  of  all  desires ; 

The  goal  to  which  man  aspires 
In  this  and  the  spheres  above, 
For  omnipotent  is  love. 

Love  is  virtue  to  the  mind, 

Faith  and  charity  combined; 
Within  it  centers  ev'ry  grace 
That  beautifies  this  our  race. 
Is  the  sunlight  of  the  heart, 
Making  buds  of  beauty  start. 

Love  is  not  a  passion-flower 

Blooming  only  in  life's  spring ; 
It  is  an  unending  dower  — 
Nature's  grandest  offering. 

'Tis  but  a  little  leaf  in   youth  : 
In  age,  the  flower  of  holy  truth. 

Love  is  what  Jehovah  breathes 

On  the  world  to  make  it  bloom  ; 
Life,  the  crown  it  forms  and  wreathes, 
Which  fades  not  even  in  the  tomb, 
But  rises  on  the  other  side, 
Immortal,  grand  and  glorified. 


DEDICATION  WBITTEN  IN  A  LADY'S  BOOK.       59 


DEDICATION  WRITTEN  IN  A  LADY'S 
BOOK. 

LET  divinest  inspiration 

Rule  the  mind  which  fills  each  page 
Of  this  book,  whose  dedication 

Is  to  truths  of  ev'ry  age. 

May  sublimest  aspiration 

Guide  the  soul  as  it  doth  mount 
Up  the  ladder  of  causation 

To  eternal  wisdom's  fount. 

May  the  golden  thoughts  indited 
Lead  the  world  to  love  the  right ; 

And  to  minds  that  are  benighted 
May  they  be  a  shining   light. 

Let  no  dingy  blots  of  error 

Leave  a  stain  upon  a  line  ; 
But  in  awe-inspiring  grandeur 

May  the  truth  forever  shine. 

When  'tis  ended,  then  to  mortals 

May  its  riches  all  be  given, 
And  its  author  through  the  portals 

Enter  to  the  brightest  heaven. 


60  WHISPERS  AND   ECHOES. 


CAN   THE  RIVER   CEASE   ITS   MOTION? 

CAN  the  river  cease  its  motion 

As  it  journeys  to  the  sea  ? 
Is  there  not  a  law  that  rules  it 

Just  the  same  as  you  and  me? 

It  is  seeking  its  own  level 

By  a  force  it  must  obey ; 
And,  in  spite  of  rocks  impeding, 

It  will  journey  on  its  way. 

They  but  for  a  moment  stay  it 
In  its  swift-descending  course, 

Increasing  its  liquid  volume 
With  a  greater,  grander  force. 

Mingling  with  its  kindred  rivers, 

Power  is  added  to  its  might, 
While  huge  ships  upon  its  bosom 

Move  like  birds  in  robes  of  white. 

And  upon  its  shining  waters 

Floats  the  commerce  of  a  world, 

While  upon  its  bed  of  corals 

Bright  and  shining  pearls  are  pearled. 


CAN   THE   RIVER    CEASE   ITS   MOTION? 

Thus  it  is  with  human  beings : 

All  have  their  true  line  and  course, 

And  are  ruled  by  laws  eternal, 
From  which  ihere  is  no  divorce. 

If  great  trials  bar  our  progress, 
Nature  gives  us  strength  and   aid 

Until  we  can  overcome  them, 
If  her  mandates  are  obeyed. 

If  dark  chasms  cross  our  pathway, 
Into  which  some  drop  and  sink, 

Never  mind :  the  soul  is  immortal, 
And  will  rise  to  angel  brink, 

Where  a  clearer  light  will  guide  it 
Through  a  path  of  brighter  flowers, 

And  dear,  loving  ones  conduct  it 
Into  higher  floral  bowers. 

Were  no  hard  shells  ever  broken, 

Then  no  bright  pearls  would  be  found: 

Were  no  hearts  e'er  crushed  with  sorrow, 
None  with  jewels  would  be  crowned. 

Did  no  trials  come  upon  us, 
We  would  be  of  little  worth: 

It  is  the  hand  of  affliction 

That  calls  our  highest  powers  forth. 


62  WHISPERS  AND  ECHOES. 

Then  let  us  all  march  right  onward, 
Striving  for  that  needed  growth 

That  will  bless  us  in  this  earth-life 
With  a  knowledge  of  the  truth. 

Trusting  all  to  that  one  Power 
That  has  burst  the  bars  of  night, 

And  gave  to  us  strength  and  wisdom 
To  pursue  the  paths  of  right. 

Let  us  ne'er  complain  nor  murmur 
At  the  heavy-  hand  of  fate ; 

Keeping  down  needless  impatience, 
Labor  on  and  learn  to  wait; 

Rejoicing  in  all  afflictions, 

Trusting  that,  from  realms  above, 

A  mighty  host  is  guiding  us 

In  all  the  dark  paths  we  move ; 

That  the  Cause  that  doth  unfold  us 
Comprehends  whereof  we  need, 

And  will  give  unto  our  spirits 
Angels  that  our  souls  will  lead 

Through  the  crooked  paths  of  danger 
And  the  deep  pitfalls  of  woe, 

Through  the  peaceful  groves  of  pleasure, 
Where  the  balmy  breezes  blow; 


SUNSET.  63 

To  the  summit  of  life's  mountain, 
Through  the  valley  of  grim  death, 

Where  we'll  wear  the  crown  immortal 
And  the  angel's  golden  wreath. 


SUNSET. 

BEAUTIFUL  sunset,  golden  and  bright, 
Herald  of  rest  and  herald  of  night, 
I  welcome  thee  as  the   fairest  hour 
That  Nature  flings  from  her  crimson  bower. 

It  is  dark  beneath,  but  far  above 
A  light  shines  forth  from  the  stars  that  rove 
The  boundless  depths  of  the  upper  sea, 
Winking,  twinkling  and  smiling  at  me. 

As  their  glintings  come  shimmering  down, 
O'er  all  the  world  now  dreary  and  brown, 
They  whisper  me  low,  and  seem  to  say, 
Thus  will  it  be  at  thy  sunset  day. 


64  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

When  death's  dark  mantle  shall  o'er  thee  fall, 
Hiding  from  sight  by  its  dreary  pall 
The  beautiful  things  of  earth,  above 
Will  be  seen  the  angel  star  of  love, 

Shining  more  brightly  than  those  to-night, 
With  hue  of  a  clearer  sparkling  white, 
Lighting  the  path  that  the  soul  must  tread 
As  it  walks  death's  vale  with  trembling  dread. 

And  one,  more  lovely  than  all  the  rest, 
Will  press  me  close  to  its  shining  breast, 
And  rise  with  me  to  that  cloudless  shore. 
Where  life's  bright  sun  will  go  down  no  more. 


WHISPERS. 

As  a  point  is  the  beginning  of  all  geometrical 
matter,  and  a  line  the  continuation  of  the  same, 
so  infancy  is  the  beginning  of  individual  life,  the 
line  of  which  stretches  throughout  eternity. 

Live  in  harmony  with  the  laws  of  thy  being, 
then  wilt  thou  obey  the  laws  of  God,  as  written 
out  in  the  constitution  of  the  universe. 


NEVER   GIVE  UP.  65 


NEVER  GIVE  UP. 

No  matter  the  part  of  life's  hill  you  are  on, 
If  you  wish  to  mount  to  the  summit  or  top, 

This  motto  observe  \Yhile  you're  trudging  along, 
That  'tis  folly  to  whine  and  a  sin  to  give  up. 

Why  bother  with  things  that  get  into  your  way 
In  a  world  where  of  room  there's   a  bountiful 
crop? 

Your  power  and  genius  should  have  a  display, 
So  march  round  or  o'er  them,  but  never  give  up. 

Why  care  for  disaster,  though  dark  as  a  pall? 

What  though  the  world  rob  you  of  life's  very 

last  prop? 
Be  strong  and  stand  firm,  for  you  never  can  fall 

As  long  as  you're  determined  to  never  give  up. 

Why  care  for  what  others  may  say  or  may  think  ? 

'Tis  the  nature  of  some  to  be  splashing  in  slop  : 
Be  sure  you  are  right,  then  their  frown  or  their 
blink 

Will  amount  to  the  same  if  you  never  give  up. 


66  WHISPERS  AND  ECHOES. 

Should  sickness  seize   on  you   and  fill   you  with 
pain, 

Should  gaunt  poverty  follow,  and  down  on  you 

drop, 

Your  will  is  the  master,  so  do  not  complain, 
But  cast  them  all  from  you,  and  never  give  up. 

Should  summer  friends  leave  3Tou  to  go  it  alone, 
And  society  at  you  its  big  nose  turn  up, 

When   life's    dearest  treasures   are    from   you   all 

flown, 
Be  a  man  to  the  end,  and  never  give  up. 

When  the  last  moment   comes,  stop  not  then   to 

whine, 
Though  bitter  the   dregs   in  life's   fast  sinking 

cup, 
Smile   on  them,  and   drink  them,  and  call   them 

divine, 
And  shout,  as  you  down  them,  Never  give  up! 


WHISPERS. 


IF  thou  hast  a  truth,  express  it,  though  thou 
be  crucified  the  next  minute  for  exercising  the 
heaven-born  right. 


LIVE   TO-DAY.  67 


LIVE   TO-DAY. 

LIVE  to-day :   to-morrow  is  a  deep  grave 

That  may  swallow  thee  and  all  thy  idols. 

The  present  alone  is  thine  to  enjoy. 

Use  it  in  that  way  and  manner  while  here 

Which  will  bring  to  thee  the  greatest,  purest  truth, 

Highest  wisdom,  truest  friendships,  noblest 

Influences,  and  sweetest  memories 

That  life  can  give.     The  sun  shines  for  thee  now. 

Use  its  golden  light  in  blessing  thyself, 

Thy  neighbor  and  the  world,  by  employment 

Of  all  thy  powers  of  both  body  and  mind : 

For  between  thee  and  another  day  lies 

The  dark  gulf  of  night,  in  which  many  fall, 

Not  having  made  good  use  of  the  present. 

The  mind  is  like  a  garden :    see  to  it 

That  idleness  allows  no  weeds  therein,' 

But  that  constant  industry  plants  it  out 

With  choice  fruits  and  beautiful,  fragrant  flowers, 

That  will  give  thee  pleasure  in  thy  noonday, 

And  joy,  peace  and  rest  in  th'  ev'ning  of  life : 

Then  will  existence  be  sweet,  and  thy  soul 

Will  be  made  bright,  beautiful  and  lovely, 

'Gainst  the  time  the  angels  shall  come  for  thee. 


68  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 


DESIRE. 

OH,  why  is  the  heart  ever  sighing  and  longing 
For  something  to  fill  up  a  vast  void  within; 

The  comfort  and  peace  of  its  owner  destro}Ting, 
As  though  life  were  a  curse  and  existence  a  sin  ? 

Why,  why  is  this  craving,  our  being  enslaving, 

And  a  constant  desire  for  some  treasure  unseen  ? 
Oh,   whence  is  this  aching,  this  thirst  so  unslak- 

ing, 

That  destroys  all  contentment,  and  fills  us  with 
'  spleen? 

Is  there  no   end  to  desire,  that  unquenchable  fire 
That  ever  burns  brightest   when   we   wish   for 
repose  ? 

Has  the  peace-angel  left  us,  of  all  joy  bereft  us, 
Except  that  ambition  which  secures  us  our  woes  ? 

"We  climb  wisdom's  mountain,  and  drink  from  its 
fountain ; 

The  waters  are  bitter,  and  they  give  us  no- joy; 
We  traverse  that  river  where  Death  with  his  quiver 

Of  arrows  stands  ready  our  earth-form  to  destroy ; 


I  LIVE  NOT  IN  VAIN.  69 

But  beyond  is  desire;  we  go  higher  and  higher; 

It  is  still  in  advance,  waving  upward  and  on; 
We  enter  high  heaven,  the  veil  it  is  riven: 

We  there  find  true  rest  in  the  crown  we  have 
won. 


I  LIVE  NOT  IN  VAIN. 

IF  I  have  but  lifted  one  burden  of  woe 
From  the  sad,  aching  heart  of  another, 

If  I  by  my  efforts  and  labors  below 

Have  bestowed  on  a  poor  needy  brother, 

That  which   relieved  him  from  sorrow  and  pain, 

I  hold  that  my  life  has  not  been  in  vain. 

If  one  ray  of  light  from  my  mind  has  been  shed 
To  brighten  the  lone  path  of  the  weary ; 

If  just  one  hungry  soul  by  me  has  been  fed, 
And  its  sad  road  in  life  made  less  dreary, — 

Then  I  am  content  'mid  sunshine  or  rain 
To  toil,  for  I  know  I  live  not  in  vain. 


TO  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

If  by  look,  word  or  deed,  in  kindness  bestowed, 
I  have  kept  from  the  pit  man  or  woman, 

And  led  them  away  from  destruction's  broad  road 
Into  paths  that  would  make  them  more  human, 

Though  little  the  merit  and  small  the  gain, 
I  will  feel  my  life  has  not  been  in  vain. 

Has  a  sigh  or  a  tear  by  me  been  dispelled, 
And  a  sweet  smile  of  peace  been  created; 

Has  the  darkness  of  error  I  have  beheld 

Been  by  truth  promptly  met  and  defeated,  — 

Then  let  me  rejoice  and  sing  this  refrain, 

I  am  not  here  living  wholly  in  vain. 


WHISPERS. 

A  JUST  conception  of  Deity  gives  man  a  just 
value  of  himself:  a  revengeful  God  always  has 
revengeful  worshipers. 

Goodness  is  a  mirror  that  reflects  itself  upon 
the  world. 


WHAT   IS  TO  BE.  71 


WHAT  IS   TO   BE. 

THE  highest,  wildest  flights  of  fancy 
Shadow  forth  but  dimly  the  beauty, 
Glory,  grandeur  and  power  of  the  spheres 
Which  surround  this  terrestrial  world. 

Contemplate  the  mighty  growth  of  mind 
A  soul  must  make  that  is  spurred  forward 
For  a  thousand  years  by  the  goad  of  truth; 
Of  its  wisdom,  its  keen,  penetrating 
Perceptive  sense,  which  grasps  principles 
And  the  laws  that  evolve  crystal, 
Mineral,  vegetable,  animal 
And  human  formations,  with  their  laws 
Of  secretion,  excretion  and  change, — 
The  processes  and  transformations 
Of  matter  ere  it  reaches  that  state 
That  it  becomes  sensitive,  reflective, 
Cogitative,  intellectual, 
Analytical,  logical,  spiritual, 
Inspirational,  intuitional, 
Omniscient,  omnipresent  and 
Omnipotent. 

If  the  soul  of  man, 
Bursting  forth  from  oblivious  night, 


72  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Can  grasp  the  laws  of  conscious  being, 

Mount  individuality's  throne, 

Comprehending  its  relation  to 

That  eternal  principle  of  life 

Which  evolved  it,  in  a  few  brief  years, 

Who  shall  be  able  to  estimate 

The  grand  altitude  it  shall  have  reached 

When  a  thousand  cycles  of  millions 

Of  years  each  shall  have  rolled  on  into 

The  eternal  past. 

> 

When  formative 

Principles,  evolving  forces  and  laws, 
Are  all  understood  and  comprehended, 
When  the  chemistry  of  life  and  death, 
Of  growth,  of  occult  science,  the  mind, 
The  power  of  thought,  mem'ry,  consciousness, 
Is  made  clear  to  human  perception  ; 
When  Nature  unbosoms  her  fountain 
Of  miracles  and  mysteries  t'  man, 
And  all  the  plains  and  spheres  beyond  this 
Become  visible  to  th'  eye  of  soul, 
And  those  made  glorious  by  th'  light  of 
Purified  love  descend  t'  bless  mankind ; 
When  charity's  mantle  becomes  large 
Enough  to  hide  within  its  ample 
Folds  all  the  errors  of  ignorance, 


WHAT   IS  TO   BE.  73 

Arid  naught  but  truth,  universal  love, 
Benevolence  and  peace  are  enshrined 
Within  the  soul,  and  harmony  shall 
Become  the  chief  desire  and  aim  of  all,  — 
Then  will  have  arrived  the  time  when  mortals 
Shall  behold  what  is  now  but  dimly  seen 
By  inspired  minds  of  this  progressive  age. 

Where  is  that  Socrates  of  yore, 
And  Solon  with  his  wondrous  lore  ? 
Where  now  sings  Homer  in  the  spheres? 
Where  Plato  and  his  angel  peers  ? 

Demosthenes  and  Cicero, 
Pythagoras  and  good  Cato, 
Who  centuries  ago  poured  forth 
Their  eloquence  through  all  the  earth? 

Where  now  the  master  minds  that  then 
Rose  godlike  o'er  their  fellow  men, 
And  grasped  the  keys  to  the  unknown, 
Unlocked  the  door  to  Reason's  throne  ? 

Where  now  within  the  upper  world 
Are  those  that  superstition  hurled 
Upon  the  martyr's  burning  pile, 
For  truth  that  some  then  counted  vile? 


74  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Where  now  are  Jesus  and  his  band, 
Who  oped  the  way  to  a  better  land, 
And  proved  that  death,  hell  nor  the  grave 
Could  soul  of  man  hold  or  enslave  ? 

Where  Buddha,  Chrishna,  Confucius, 
Zoroaster,  Simon  Magus, 
With  all  those  mighty  minds  of  worth 
Who  gave  to  truth  a  nobler  birth? 

Methinks  I  see  them  over  there, 
Climbing  higher  the  upward  stair 
That  reaches  from  this  lower  world 
To  that  which  has  the  whole  unfurled ; 
United,  a  progressive  band, 
Immortal  in  the  summer-land. 

Eternal  Cause,  whate'er  thou  art, 

That  drew  man  forth  from  nature's  we.nb, 

And  gave  the  soul  a  conscious  part 
That  will  arise  beyond  the  tomb, 

Grant  that  the  light  we  now  behold 
May  be  increased  a  thousand  times, 

Until  the  spirit  shall  enfold 

The  wisdom  of  the  highest  climes, 


WHAT   IS   TO   BE.  75 

When  all  the  splendors  now  in  view 

Shall  into  dingy  shadows  turn, 
And  others  burst  with  grander  hue 

From  vaster  depths  of  nature's  urn, 

Then  will  the  soul  enjoy  content  — 
At  least,  until  some  fairer  strand 

Shall  unfold  beauty's  deeper  print, 
More  gorgeous  and  sublimely  grand. 

Then  will  its  aspirations  wing 
Their  way  to  inspiration's  fount, 

And  to  the  longing  spirit  bring 

The  choicest  boon  from  wisdom's  mount. 

Thus,  on  forever,  steep  on  steep, 
The  hungry  soul  shall  mount  away, 

Until  immensity's  vast  deep 

Its  unchained  powers  shall  survey, 

And  all  that  it  doth  long  for  here 

Is  man's  in  heaven's  eternal  sphere. 


WHISPERS. 


ONLY  fools   inquire  what   they  must  do   to  be 
saved :  they  who  have  knowledge  save  themselves. 


76  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 


INTELLECT. 

O  INTELLECT  !  why  slumber  so  ? 

Awake  and  thy  proportions  show ! 

Why  doze  and  dream  on  worthless  themes, 

Or  delve  in  speculative  schemes? 

Spread  but  thy  pinions  and  arise, 

And  light  shall  crown  thy  energies. 

Dost  thou  here  covet  earthly  things  ? 

Behold  fair  lands  and  mines  of  gold, 
Broad  fertile  plains  and  crystal  springs, 

With  wond'rous  beauties  to  behold. 

Strike  but  earth's  breast,  her  bosom  pierce, 
And  riches  instant  upward  flow, 

And  where  she  is  assailed  most  fierce 
Doth  yield  a  blessing  for  each  blow ; 

Yea,  cleave  her  body,  and  a  rose 

Some  unknown  beauty  will  disclose. 

Amend  thy  nature  —  be  like  earth, 
Which  gave  thy  soul  and  body  birth ; 


INTELLECT.  77 

Delve  in  thy  mind  —  there's  gold  therein, 

Yea,  flowers  of  inspiration  too, 
And  fame  and  honor  thou  shalt  win, 

If  thou  wilt  her  kind  forces  woo. 

The  weeds  of  indolence  uproot, 

The  thorns  of  vice  and  crime  destroy, 

And  in  their  place  will  upward  shoot 
A  constant  peace,  an  endless  joy, 

That  will  transcend  the  floral  bloom 

Earth's  hills  and  valleys  do  entomb. 

Thy  primal  cosmos  I  decline 

To  interview  or  comprehend; 
Thou  art  a  thing  none  can  define, 

Thou  dost  so  far  all  powers  transcend ; 
Yet  of  self  thou  dost  form  a  part, 
Still  none  can  tell  just  what  thou  art. 

Some  say  thou  art  child  of  the  mind, 
And  yet  with  it  thou  didst  begin  ; 

Perhaps  if  we  the  truth  should  find 
We  might  discover  thou  art  twin, 

And  born  to  aid  the  conscious  soul 

In  keeping  us  in  right  control. 

Be  what  thou  wilt,  I'll  not  abuse 
Myself  in  chasing  after  thee, 


78  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

And  yet,  perhaps,  may  often  muse 

While  I  am  in  thy  company, 
And  wonder  if  sometime  a  gleam 
May  not  reveal  whence  thou  dost  stream. 

At  times  thou  art  a  peaceful  lake, 
Deep,  calm  and  clear  as  azure  skies; 

Then  thou  dost  into  ripples  break; 
Again  the  swelling  tides  arise, 

And  lash  themselves  upon  the  shore 

Their  feeble  powers  would  fain  explore. 

Cold  as  the  frozen  zones  at  times, 
Warm  as  the  tropics  next  appear, 

Peace,  hope  and  courage  from  thee  shine  ; 
Again  art  filled  with  doubts  and  fear, 

A  weather-vane  moved  by  the  wind 

Of  circumstance  blown  on  the  mind. 

Art  pious  and  profane  in  turn, 
Alike  can  either  pray  or  swear; 

Yea,  there  is  nothing  thou  dost  spurn, 
But  grasp  the  whole,  the  false,  the  fair, 

And  stuff  it  in  thy  pond'rous  crop, 

As  if  thou'dst  swallow  all  things  up. 

Can  plot  a  blessing  or  a  crime 
With  equal  pleasure,  equal  skill ; 

The  most  repulsive,  most  sublime, 
Are  subject  to  thy  law  and  will. 


INTELLECT.  79 

What  e'er  thou  art,  I  am  content, 

'Tis  by  thy  use  I  must  arise ; 
Thou  art  the  wings  by  Nature  lent 

To  carry  me  within  the  skies, 
That  I  may  view  the  systems  there 
And  more  of  Nature's  wonders  share. 

So  spread  thy  pinions  and  away, 
I  care  not  what  thy  course  may  be ; 

Fly  up  or  down,  I'll  not  delay, 
Nor  seek  to  stop  or  hinder  thee ; 

Nature's  domain  lies  wide  before, 

And  ev'ry  part  we  must  explore. 


WHISPERS. 

WISDOM  is  the  guide  that  points  the  way  to  hap 
piness  : 
Ignorance,  the  cradle  in  which  man  rocks  idleness. 

Fashion  is  the  mart  in  which  virtue  is  slaughtered 

and  sold, 
And  only  is  closed  when  the  body  is   dead   and 

cold. 


80  WHISPERS  AND   ECHOES. 


SONG  TO   THE   MARTYRS. 

LET  others  sing  of  victory 

And  heroes  of  the  field : 
My  song  shall  be  of  nobler  things, 

That  higher  virtues  yield. 
I'll  sing  of  those  who  have  unfurled 

Truth's  banner  to  the  breeze, 
And  stood  forth  martyrs  for  the  right 

And  the  soul's  liberties. 

Nature  has  but  a  few  rare  gems, 

And  they  are  scattered  wide : 
Few  when  compared  with  grosser  things 

Upon  her  moving  tide. 
And  thus  it  is  with  human  minds: 

Few  have  the  power  to  shine ; 
The  thought  reveals  the  common  stone 

Or  carbon  pure  and  fine. 

The  patriot  he  seeks  for  fame 
Where  bugle-blasts  are  heard ; 

The  statesman  in  the  senate-hall 
Unsheathes  his  wordy  sword; 


SONG  TO   THE  MAKTYES.  81 

The  poet  and  philosopher 

Each  have  an  honored  place, 
While  men  of  valor  and  renown 

Have  blessed  their  name  and  race. 

But  the  true  heroes  of  the  past 

Were  not  of  such  as  these, — 
They  stood  above  and  far  beyond 

This  world's  sordid  decrees, 
And  spoke  with  tongues  of  eloquence 

The  truths  that  in  them  burned ; 
Tyrants  defied,  the  rack,  the  flame, 

The  tide  of  error  turned. 

Behold  that  grand  old  Socrates, 

With  hemlock  in  his  hand; 
Vanini,  Bruno,  Servetus, 

With  others  take  their  stand 
Upon  the  side  of  liberty 

And  freedom  of  the  mind, 
Nor  fear  the  wrath  nor  torture 

Of  bigots  weak  and  blind ; 

Hypatia,  the  proud  mistress  of 

Old  Alexandria's  schools, 
Because  she  would  not  bow  herself 

T  St.  Cyril's  priestly  rules, 


82  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Was  torn  in  fragments  by  the  fiends 
Who  ruled  in  that  dark  hour, 

But  left  a  name  of  virtue  here 
That  heavenward  doth  tower. 

Of  such  as  these  my  Muse  shall  sing, 

And  tune  her  soulful  lyre: 
These  were  the  souls  in  which  there  shone 

The  true  Promethean  fire. 
Yea,  they  were  gods  who  broke  the  bonds 

And  tore  the  prison  bars 
From  off  the  mind,  and  left  it  free 

To  revel  midst  the  stars. 


WHISPEKS. 

SELFISHNESS  is  the  parent  of  every  human  ac 
tion:  it  nurses  philanthropists  and  rocks  to  sleep 
benevolence,  courts  industry  and  marries  slothful- 
ness  ;  it  makes  the  rich  richer  and  the  poor  poorer. 
All  good  and  bad,  all  ignoble  and  noble,  are  born 
from  the  womb  of  her  great  grasping  covetous- 
ness. 


MENTAL  BUCKETS. 


MENTAL  BUCKETS. 

LIKE   buckets   are   objects  that    from   the   mind's 

well 

Draw  thoughts  and  desires  to  its  surface  or  brink ; 
And  whatever  the  kind  that  in  it  doth  dwell 
Conies  up  with  the  bucket,  and  man  takes  a  drink. 

The  beautiful  and  bright  attract  their  own  kind, 
The  selfish  and  narrow  alike  do  the  same  ; 
Good,  bad,  true  and  false,  are  thus  dragged  from 

the  mind, 
And  fill  us  with  pleasure,  or  sorrow,  or  shame. 

The  beauties  of  nature  make  better,  we  know ; 

Sweet  flowers  and  sweet  music  are  things  we  en 
joy  ; 

Kind  words  and  dear  friends  brighten  this  life 
below, 

And  hide  from  our  mem'ry  the  thoughts  that 
annoy. 

Sweet  sympathy  oft  a  true  saviour  may  prove; 
A  word  kindly  spoken  may  ransom  a  soul ; 
The  heart  that  is  wounded,  and  hungers  for  love, 
Is  succored  and  healed   by  true  friendship's   con 
trol. 


84  WHISPERS  AND  ECHOES. 

A  bow  or  a  look  may  bring  hope  to  the  mind 
That  is  burdened  and  crushed  by  things  that  are 

vile, 

And  bear  it  away,  from  despair  dark  and  blind, 
To  a  haven  of  rest,  on  the  wings  of  a  smile. 

The  well  that  is  shallow  doth  often  run  dry; 
The  deeper,  the  cooler  and  purer  the  vein  ; 
Thus  it  is  with  the  mind :  the  one  that  soars  high 
Becomes  a  pure  fountain  that  nothing  can  drain. 

The  mind  that  is  fed  from  the  fountains  above 
Will    sparkle    and    bubble    with    truth's     golden 

light,— 

A  grand  inspiration  where'er  it  may  move, 
The  world  making  better,  its  beings  more  bright. 

Then  be  like  the  well  that  is  deep,  clear  and  pure, 
Refreshing  the  weary  and  fainting  of  earth : 
Thy  soul  will  be  happy,  its  labors  endure, 
And  a  crown  it  shall  earn  of  excellent  worth. 


WHISPERS. 


BEWARE  of  strangers  whose  lips  are  honeyed  to 
suit  thy  taste. 


FKOM  THE  FOUNT   TO   THE   SEA.  85 


FROM   THE   FOUNT   TO   THE   SEA. 

THE  river  of  life  is  an  unknown  stream, 

That  bubbles  and  whirls  from  Nature's  side ; 

And  many  bright  spirits,  both  gay  and  sad, 
Are  daily  launched  on  its  drifting  tide. 

Each  little  shallop,  with  its  precious  load, 
Is  started  out  where  the  ripples  play, 

And  guarded  and  kept  by  the  angel  Love, 
As  it  sails  forth  from  its  infant  bay. 

The  banks  are  embroidered  with  bud  and  bloom, 
Sweet- warbling  songsters  and  busy  bee  ; 

Refreshing  arbors  of  inviting  shade,  — 
All  works  of  a  great  divinity. 

How  smoothly  it  glides,  how  swiftly  it  sails ! 

The  stream  it  widens,  the  banks  grow  steep ; 
The  scenery  changes,  and  new  views  arise, 

The  waters  are  swifter,  more  dark  and.  deep. 

The  pilot  withdraws,  and  the  helm  swings  loose, 
Great  rocks  in  the  channel  are  in  sight ; 

It  shoots  into  eddies,  then  plunges  along, 
Heedless  and  careless  of  wrong  or  right. 


86  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

An  unskilled  youth  now  springs  forth  to  the  helm, 
And  grasps  it  tight  in  his  trembling  hand, 

While  it  rushes  on  through  the  waves  and  foam 
That  wash  the  rocks  and  islands  of  sand. 

On  goes  the  boat,  and  the  youth  is  a  man  — 
Ay,  one  of  beauty  and  comely  pride ; 

He  prepares  himself  for  the  storms  of  life, 

And  steers  his  bark  where  the  stream  is  wide. 

The  rocks  and  abysses  begin  to  cease, 
The  shoals  and  islands  are  left  behind ; 

The  waters  are  deep,  and  the  current  strong, 
While  the  boat  is  tossed  by  waves  and  wind. 

Still  on  he  goes  toward  the  open  sea, 
Undaunted  and  fearless  of  its  roar; 

Though  shattered  his  craft  and  feeble  his  hand, 
He  longs  its  mysteries  to  explore. 

The  dark  gulf  he  scans,  with  his  dimming  eyes, 
That  lies  between  the  river  and  sea ; 

He  pushes  ahead  on  its  waters  dark, 
Nor  stops  to  ask  what  his  fate  may  be. 

A   great  death-wave   strikes,  and   the  bows   they 
part, 

He  sinks,  he  rises,  his  soul  is  free ; 
Some  unknown,  unseen  power  now  bears  him  on, 

To  view  another  world's  mystery. 


SAY  NEVER   YOU  CAN'T.  87 

Thus  on,  on  forever,  its  waters  glide, 

And  many  a  craft,  both  weak  and  strong, 

Is  borne  far  away  to  the  ocean  wide, 
Where  a  new  life  opes  with  angel  song. 

And  thus  it  will  be  throughout  coming  time; 

For  the  river  is  long,  the  ocean  deep, 
And  the  powers  that  rule  in  the  world  above 

Have  endless,  boundless,  infinite  sweep. 


SAY  NEVER  YOU  CAN'T. 

A  BEAUTIFUL  thought,  or  a  beautiful  word, 
Is  like  a  sweet  flower  or  the  notes  of  a  bird, 
Which  float  out  on  the  airs  of  heaven  with  love, 
And  bear  us  away  to  the  bright  realms  above. 

A  duty  well  done,  to  self  or  another, 
Is  a  blessing  that  naught  in  life  can  smother ; 
While  neglect  may  bring  .sadness,  sorrow  and  pain, 
And  joys  that  we  long  for  we'll  look  for  in  vain. 


88  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

If  wisdom  we  wish,  we  must  mount  in  desire, 
Labor  and  strive,  day  by  day  going  higher. 
Until  truth's  proud  beacon  appears  in  the  skies, 
And  star  of  our  hope  doth  more  brightly  arise 

Light  shines  for  mankind  independent  of  class : 
It  is  not  for  a  few,  but  for  the  whole  mass. 
Accept  thy  full  share,  then ;   say  never  you  can't, 
For  th'  more  it  shines  on   you  the  more  you  will 
want. 

Th'  mainspring  of  happiness  is  found  in  desire ; 
Its  realization,  that  unquenchable  fire 
Which  glows  in  the  soul  as  it  mounts  in  its  growth 
And   slakes   its   deep    thirst    at    the   fountain    of 
truth. 

Speed  on  to  the  fountain,  think  not  to  delay: 
Time's   moments   are   fleeting,  'nd  will   soon  fade 

away; 

The  body  to  earth  will  return  back  again, 
While  spirit  will  mount  to  its  own  proper  plane. 

If  beauty  adorn  it,  't  will  be  happy  indeed ; 

If    strength    bears    it   onward,  great    will    be    its 

speed  ; 

New  pleasures  will  constant  flow  into  life's  tide, 
While  we  down  the  stream  of  eternity  glide. 


THE   GUIDE'S  FABEWELL.  89 


THE   GUIDE'S   FAREWELL. 

WE  point  the  way,  the  road  thyself  must  find, 
We  the  beacon  set  for  all  of  mankind: 
Heed  well  the  course,  nor  falter  on  thy  way, 
He  only  wins  who  learns  first  to  obey. 

Deem  it  not  kindness  that  another's  force 
Rolls  the  obstructing  boulder  from  thy  course  ; 

Nay,  strength   shall   increase  where  'tis   rightly 

used, 
And  swiftly  vanish  when  o'ermuch  abused. 

He  who  would  scan  eternal  wisdom's  fount 
Must  learn   the   untried    steeps   of    thought  to 

mount ; 

Nor  loiter  by  the  way  in  idle  dream, 
Lest  he  lose  the  course  of  its  rippling  stream. 

Nature  awards  to  him  the  highest  prize 
Who  uses  best  her  potent  energies  ; 
Her  golden  horn  pours  in  the  toiler's  hands, 
And  more  freely  gives  as  his  power  expands. 

Think   it  not   strange   then   that  the   light  we 

bring 
Should  seem  a  changing,  evanescent  thing  ; 


90  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

We  garner  strength  for  times  of  greatest  need, 
Nor  give  to  gratify  unbounded  greed. 

Improve   what   thou   hast,    thy  talents  will   in 
crease  ; 
Neglect  thy  duty,  and  all  help  may  cease. 

It  is  unkind,  however  kindly  meant, 

To  give  where  giving  meets  no  real  want, 

And  charity  becomes  an  ejnpty  name 

Where  unworthy  objects  share  its  virgin  fame. 

Be  independent,  and  thy  soul  shall  yearn 
For  only  that  which  honest  toil  may  earn ; 
All  knowledge  shall  be  his  who  constant  strives, 
And  from  the  mind  the  bonds  of  ignorance  rives. 

Use  well  the  powers  kind  Nature  doth  provide, 
She  pours  for  all  mankind  her  wisdom  tide  ; 
Invites  the  whole,  from  greatest  to  the  least, 
To  be  partakers  of  her  welcome  feast. 

Let  her  inspirations  in  soft  cadence  flow 
To  benefit  and  bless  all  life  below ; 
For  he  who  gives  most  lives  most,  most  enjoys  ; 
His  bliss  the  moth  of  envy  ne'er  destroys, — 
His  soul  all  sordid  realms  doth  soar  above, 
Being  in  sweet  accord  with  law  of  love. 


THE   GUIDE'S  FAREWELL.  91 

Accept  this  hint,  apply  it  in  thy  need, — 

It  will  prove  a  flower  and  no  worthless  weed, 

A  polar  star  to  ev'ry  aspiration, 

The  truest  in  man's  mental  constellation. 

Now  fare   thee  well,  —  we   hence  withdraw  our 

light, 

And  leave  thee  in  the  care  of  truth  and  right; 
Be  guided  by  them  both,  thou  canst  not  stray 
"While  in  thy  heart  they  have  all  perfect  sway. 

Heed   well    their  promptings,  angels   they  will 

prove, 

Constant  and  faithful  where'er  thou  shalt  move  ; 
Watchful  and  jealous  of  their  name  and  ward, 
Yea,  even  wrathful  where  their  way  is  barred. 

Again  we'll  meet  when  time  for  thee  shall  cease, 
May  our  union  bring  us  mutual  peace ; 
No  duty  left  undone,  thy  crown  complete, 
Our  anthems  will  be  long,  our  chorus  sweet. 


•WHISPERS. 


FAITH  before  knowledge  is  unwarrantable  belief : 
After  knowledge  it  is  unwarrantable  nonsense. 


92  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 


THE   ROSE   AND  I. 

ONE  day,  while  watching  a  beautiful  rose 
That  under  my  window  had  blown, 

I  felt  a  strange  feeling  over  me  creep, 
So  I  whispered,  in  softest  tone,  — 

"Say,  delicate  Rose,  from  whence  art  thou? 

Where  hast  thou  been  in  all  th'  long  past ; 
And    who   brought    thee    here    my    sad   heart    to 
cheer  ? 

Will  thy  sweetness  forever  last?" 

Just  then  a  halo  of  joy  in  the  soul 

Made  me  feel  that  the  rose  could  hear: 

So,  I  whispered  again,  "  Sweet  Rose,  canst  thou 
Just  now  to  my  spirit  draw  near?" 

Then  a  voice  from  the  heart  of  that  rose  did  speak 

To  my  inner  ear,  and  did  say, 
"Yes,  yes!   I  will  come,  I  will  come, 

If  thou  wilt  prepare  rne  the  way." 

**  Wiry*  what  shall  I  do  ?     I  see  naught  in  th'  way ; 

What  wouldst  thou  have  me  remove  ?  " 
It  whispered,  in  accents  soft,  sweet  and  low, 

"  Take  all  things  away  but  pure  love." 


THE  ROSE  AND   I.  93 

At  first  I  did  not  its  meaning  perceive, 

So  I  began  t'  think  and  reflect ; 
And,  as  I  viewed  what  lay  'tween  me  and  it, 

These  things  I  did  quickly  detect. 

I  found  I  had,  by  my  selfish  nature, 

Developed  an  internal  state 
That  nothing  could  reach  to  bring  a  pleasure, 

On  account  of  pride,  envy  'nd  hate. 

I  felt  the  force  of  the  lesson  thus  taught, 

So  said,  "Pretty  Rose,  I  will  try 
And  put  away  all  pride,  envy  and  hate,"  — 

But  just  then  I  heard  the  rose  sigh. 

"  My  friend,"  she  replied,  "it  grieves  me  o'ermuch, 

As  I  thy  soul-powers  do  scan ; 
And  my  cheeks  they  blush  as  I  think  of  th'  wrongs 

Committed  by  th'  fam'ly  of  man. 

"  Why  can't  you  live  like  my  sisters  and  I 

Upon  this  our  family  tree, 
Striving  with  all  of  the  powers  of  soul 

To  make  the  world  smile  and  be  free? 

"  Both  free  -to  love  God  and  free  to  love  man, 

Free  to  love  sister  and  brother; 
Free  to  love  ev'rything  under  the  sun, 

And  free  to  love  one  another." 


94  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

And  as  her  words  died  away  in  the  soul, 
The  rose  she  looked  up  with  a  smile, 

And,  bowing  quite  graceful,  whispered  and  said, 
"  Pure  love  '11  never,  NEVER  defile." 

And  as  I  still  listened  she  seemed  to  say, 
"  Thou  art  in  the  image  of  God ; " 

To  which  I  answered,    "  Yes,  yes !    that  I  know : 
Only  I  am  now  in  the  bud." 

"That's  true,"  she  replied,  "but  soon  thou  wilt 
bloom 

With  love's  fragrance  so  rich  and  rare, 
In  that  fair  garden  of  angels  on  high  — 

'Tis  then  I  will  come  to  thee,  there." 

Just  then  she  bowed  to  a  storm  passing  o'er, 
As  I  thought  t'  keep  rain  from  her  eye  ; 

But  not  so  ;  for  when  I  sought  her  again, 
I  found  she'd  departed  on  high. 

And  now,  as  I  look  t'  that  land   far  away, 

That  land  that  by  angels  is  trod, 
I  see,  in  spirit,  that  beautiful  rose, 

As  it  blooms  on  th'  bosom  of  God. 


THE  UNKNOWN  SONGSTEE.  95 


THE  UNKNOWN  SONGSTER. 

A  BEAUTIFUL  bird,  with  golden-plumed  wing, 
Was  asked  for  a  song  that  gladness  would  bring 
To  hearts  of  brothers  'nd  sisters  in  want, 
When,  lifting  its  head,  it  chirped  out,  "I  can't." 

"  You  can  if   you'd   try,"  said   a  voice  from  the 

grove, 

"  For  music  is  the  true  language  of  love : 
The  heart  when  happy  is  full  of  sweet  song : 
When  it  can,  and  don't  sing,  something  is  wrong." 

"But  I  have  not  learned,  and  do  not  know  how ; 
And  that's  a  good  reason,  you  must  allow." 
The  voice  still  insisted,  and  said,  "  Do  try, 
For  wings,  you  know,  mean  a  sail  in  the  sky. 

"  Besides,  songs  unsung  will  dry  in  your  throat, 
Is  as  great  a  truth  as  any  need  quote ; 
And  talents  unused  grow  more  and  more  weak." 
Thus  saying,  the  voice  henceforth  ceased  to  speak. 

The  bird  sat  pond'ring  for  many  a  day, 
It  queried  and  wondered  what  would  be  its  lay, 
Till  one  morn,  while   pluming  its  beautiful  wing, 
A  thrill  in  its  bosom  inspired  it  to  sing. 


96  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

It  trilled  and  warbled  from  dawn  until  night, 
It  chirped  and  whistled  in  greatest  delight, 
Till  birds  from  the  meadows  and  groves  all  came 
T'  see  this  new  songster  and  learn  of  its  fame. 

One  said  'tis  the  goldfinch ;  one,  the  red  robin ; 
One,  the   brown   thrush:    so   they   kept  guessing 

and  bobbing, 

Until  an  old  owl  tooted  out,  "  Whoo  !  whoo  !  " 
And  the  mocking-bird  whistled,  "  Big  eyes,  'tain't 

you!" 

But  when  all  had  ceased  their  guessing  and  won 
der, 

A  voice  from  the  winds  that  swept  the  trees 
under 

Cried  out,  "  "Pis  a  spirit  whose  music  you  hear, 

That  once  in  silence  was  shrouded  in  fear. 


WHISPERS. 


A  PURE-MINDED,  virtuous  woman  is  the  most 
beautiful  angel  that  has  visited  man  upon  earth. 
Her  price  is  beyond  the  power  of  gold ;  her 
worth  is  more  than  that  of  rubies  and  diamonds. 


THIS   HOUSE   OF   MINE.  97 


THIS   HOUSE   OF  MINE. 

THIS   house  that  I  have  occupied 

For,  lo,  these  many  years, 
In  which  I  have  seen  much  pleasure, 

With  some  few  griefs  and  tears, 
Is  getting  old  and  rickety, 

And  shows  signs  of  decay,  — 
A  sure  warning  I  must  leave  it 

At  no  far  distant  day. 

The  thatching  it  is  getting  thin 

And  white  as  winter's  snow ; 
The  joints  begin  to  creak  and  bend, 

The  fires  within  are  low ; 
The  windows  they  are  hazed  and  dim 

Through  which  I  scarce  can  see ; 
The  underpinning  is  most  gone, 

It  trembles  fearfully. 

For  years  I  kept  in  repairs, 

Because  I  loved  it  well, 
And  found  it  a  delightful  place 

In  which  my  soul  could  dwell. 


98  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

But  the  storms  of  life  have  broken 
And  bent  its  timbers  low: 

'Tis  but  a  saddening  relic 
Of  what  it  once  could  show. 

Yet  from  it  I  must  go  away: 

But  where,  where  will  it  be? 
I  have  no  other,  in  these  parts, 

To  which  my  soul  can  flee. 
When  this  one  falls,  and  I  am  left 

Unsheltered  on  this  plain, 
Where  will  I  go,  where  can  I  stay, 

In  Nature's  vast  domain? 

I  believe  there  is  a  mansion 

In  angel  realms  above, 
In  which  my  poor  unclad  spirit 

May  find  a  home  of  love. 
But  will  I  feel  just  right  to  ask 

That  I  may  in  it  dwell, 
And  share  the  peace  and  comfort  there 

What  story  can  I  tell? 

Should  I  be  asked  what  I  had  done 
While  living  in  the  earth, 

Or  what  rare  treasure  I  had  brought, 
To  prove  myself  of  worth, 


THIS    HOUSE   OF  MINE.  99 

What  answer  could  I  make,  and  what 

True  wealth  could  I  display, 
To  show  I  had  not  foolishly 

Loitered  my  time  away? 

Have  I  one  poor  little  talent 

Earned  by  my  labors  here, 
Or  one  deed  of  loving-kindness, 

That  will  for  me  appear, 
To  prove  my  worth  and  worthiness 

As  claimant  of  that  love 
Which  will  furnish  me  a  passport 

To  th'  angels'  home  above? 


WHISPERS. 

SPEAK  freely  the  truths  which  inspire  the  mind, 
though  the  whole  world  fail  to  comprehend  that 
which  is  spoken. 

Ignorance  is  night,  knowledge  is  light ; 
They  both  dwell  together  in  the  same  brain, 
Only  ignorance  is  the  brake  on  wisdom's  train. 


WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 


LINES   GIVEN  BY  A   SPIRIT, 

AT   HER   CENTENNIAL  BIRTHDAY   CELEBRATION. 

'Tis  sweet  to  be  remembered 

By  those  we've  left  behind, 
'Tis  sweet  to  know  loving  ties 

Our  hearts  forever  bind ; 
And  though  you  are  on  earth  plain, 

I  in  the  summer  land, 
Yet  our  souls  hold  communion 

On  themes  sublime  and  grand. 

In  answer  to  your  longings 

I  oft  revisit  earth, 
And  join  the  dear  home  circle 

Love  gathers  round  your  hearth; 
I  mingle  in  your  pleasures, 

I  hear  your  low-breathed  prayer, 
And  seek  t'  place  your  wand'ring  feet 

Upon  the  golden  stair. 

My  daughters,  you  are  mothers, 
And  have  the  mother  heart, 

And  know  that  a  mother's  love 
Is  of  her  life  a  part. 


LINES   GIVEN  BY   A   SPIRIT.  101 

Death's  only  power  is  to  free 

It  from  its  earthly  clod, 
That  it  may  shine  more  brightly 

In  higher  realms  of  God. 

Your  time  on  earth  grows  shorter, 

Yes,  shorter  day  by  day, 
And  soon  the  angel  shallop 

Will  bring  you  o'er  the  way, 
Where  we'll  be  reunited 

"As  in  the  days  of  yore, 
Before  my  soul  was  summoned 

To  this  immortal  shore. 

Your  spirit  ears  are  opened, 

And  ere  from  earth  you  rise, 
Your  vision  will  be  quickened, 

And  with  soul-beaming  eyes 
You  shall  behold  us  waiting 

Around  your  earthly  bed, 
To  greet  your  new-born  spirit 

When  it  the  form  has  fled. 

Yes,  we  will  then  be  near  you 

In  that  dark,  trying  hour, 
And  you  shall  be  supported 

By  other  higher  power, 


102  WHISPEES  AND   ECHOES. 

Until  to  conscious  being 
You  are  revived  again, 

And  stand  forth  free-born  spirits 
In  God's  unbound  domain. 

I  thank  you  for  this  token 

Of  your  unchanging  love ; 
And  others  near  'nd  dear  to  you, 

As  well  as  us  above, 
Are  pouring  forth  thanksgivings 

In  sweet,  immortal  song, 
That  vibrate  pure  melody 

To  heaven's  happy  throng. 

One  hundred  brief  years  ago, 

My  infant  spirit  broke 
Oblivion's  bonds,  and  arose, 

To  consciousness  awoke ; 
It  told  that  one  immortal 

Had  risen  from  the  clod, 
To  view  our  mother  Nature 

And  learn  of  th'  father  God. 

Adieu,  my  dear,  dear  children, 

Until  another  year, 
When  we  will  return  again 

And  fill  your  hearts  with  cheer, 


LINES   GIVEN  BY  A   SPIRIT.  103 

By  whisp'ring  pure,  noble  thoughts 

To  each  and  all  of  you, 
Who  seek  freedom  for  mankind 

And  live  lives  good  and  true. 

Be  just  and  kind,  my  dear  ones, 

Stand  steadfast  for  the  right, 
And  for  yourselves  and  children 

Seek  wisdom's  shining  light ; 
Then  when  the  golden  portals 

Shall  open  we  will  come, 
And  bear  your  happy  spirits 

Up  to  our  angel  home. 


WHISPERS. 

LOOK  for  the  flowers  that  bloom  along  life's  path 
way, 
And  few  weeds  will  be  seen  to  annoy  thee. 

A  well-trained,  liberal  mind  is  like  a  well-graded 
public  thoroughfare  :  it  allows  all  classes  of  thought 
and  opinion  to  pass  without  being  stopped  at  toll- 
bridges  built  of  narrow-minded  prejudices,  creeds 
and  dogmas. 


104  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 


WHO   ARE  THE  RICH? 

NOT  those  who  dwell  'neath  gilded  domes, 
Not  those  who  live  in  palace  homes, 

On  riches  fed : 

No,  they  are  of  the  poorest  poor, 
And  may  beg  on  the  angel  shore 

Long  after  dead. 

Is  it  that  class  who  have  grown  gray 
In  gaining  wealth  that  fades  away 

At  death's  broad  door ; 
Or  spend  their  time  in  sowing  seeds 
That  bring  forth  naught  but  thorns   and  weeds  ? 

No :  they  are  poor. 

Nor  is  it  those  that  here  parade 
A  vanity  that  time  will  fade, 

And  want  will  waste. 
No :  they  are  brilliants  that  will  dim ; 
There's  naught  of  value   found  in  them; 

They  're  simply  paste. 


WHO  AKE   THE  RICH.  105 

Nor  is  it  those  that  pray  aloud, 

Or  wrap  the  form  in  saintly  shroud, 

The  world  to  blind. 
No :  they  will  drop  into  the  grave 
Unmourned,  both  hypocrite  and  knave. 

To  join  their  kind. 

Is  it  the  lawyer  with  his  greed, 
Or  Shylock  banker  that  with  speed 

Carves  out  his  pound  ? 

No :    their  dwarfed  souls  from  heaven  are  barred  : 
They'll  find  below  their  just  reward, 

Where  they  are  bound. 

No :  none  of  these  are  rich  or  wise ; 
For  wealth   that  changes  not  nor  dies 

When  life  is  o'er, 
Is  neither  gold  nor  foolish  pride, 
For  they  will  sink  upon  that  tide 

That  ebbs  death's  shore. 

What,  then,  is  wealth,  if  none  of  these  ? 
What  is  there  that  mankind  can  seize, 

And  yet  be  blessed  ? 
Truth,  and  right,  and  a  helping  hand 
To  all  who  're  poor  throughout  the  land, 

Are  wealth  confessed. 


106  WHISPERS  AND  ECHOES. 

For  richer  far  than  mines  of  gold 

Are  they  who  delve  beneath  the  mould 

Of  poverty, 

And  lift  above  the  slime  and  mire 
Of  crime  and  sin  and  base  desire, 

Humanity. 


WHAT   KILLED   DAN  McCURRY? 

ITS  sable  robe  night  had  cast  o'er 
Th'  bright-green   carpet  of  Nature's  floor, 
Hiding  from  sight  the  mountain's  crest 
In  silent  rest, 

When,  'midst  the  thunder  and   the   rain, 
A  soul  stepped  forth  from  rushing  train 
On   th'  W abash  and  Western  Road, 
To  death's  abode. 

No  doubt  exists  about  the  fact ; 
But  who  or  what  produced  the   act 
Is  something  that  is  not  quite  clear 
To  people  here. 


WHAT   KILLED   DAN   McCUERY.  107 

One  says  his  time,  had  fully  come, 
His  faith  was  finished,  work  all  done, 
Hence  could  not  longer  here  remain 
'Mid  grief  and  pain. 

That  God  had  called  him  to  come  home, 
And  take  a  seat  beneath  the  throne, 
There  to   sing  for  evermore 
On  angels'  shore. 

The  saint  with  pious  inieri  and  look 
Reads  solemnly  from  a  great  book, 
And  says  it  was  an  angry  God 
Who  hurled  the  clod 

Back  to  the  earth  from  whence  it  came, 
Freeing  the  soul  from  sin  and  shame, 
Putting  it  to  sleep  in  the  grave, 
To  damn  or  save. 

Others  have  quite  different  views, 
And  say  it  was  bad  luck  or  news 
Which  crazed  the  mind,  until  despair 
Impelled  him  there ; 

While  skeptics  hold  the  churchmen's  rules 
Show  them  a  precious  batch  of  fools, 
By  affirming  gravitation 

'Nd  remote  foundation. 


108  WHISPERS  AND  ECHOES. 


THE   ROSE. 

OF  all  the  fair  flowers  that  engem  the  green  earth, 
None  have  the  beauty,  the  fragrance  and  worth, 
Found  imbedded  in  sweet,  gentle  repose, 
Within  the  bosom  of  the  beautiful  rose. 

How  sweet  is  its  breath  on  the  soft  morning  air ! 
A  queen  it  reigns   with  the  false  and  fair. 
No  one  rejects  it,  for  none  can  disclose 
The  heart,  where  it  loves,  like  the  beautiful  rose. 

How  proudly  it  beams  on  the  rest  in  the  vase! 
In  grandeur  it  reigns,  the  princess  of  grace : 
It  smiles  in  the  cottage  when  the  wind  blows, 
And  peeps  from  the  cabin  upon  the  cold  snows. 

The  bee  in  its  chalice  sports  with  delight ; 
He  forsakes  the  clover  when  it  comes  in  sight, 
And,  embracing,  kisses  its  soft  velvet  lips, 
As  he  from  its  heart  the  sweet  nectar  sips. 

He   flies   through  the   woods,  groves,  garden    'nd 

meadow, 

Sports  with  the  sunshine,  fans  his  own  shadow; 
Yet  where'er  he  rambles,  each  place  he  goes, 
His  choice  is  the  dew  from  heart  of  the  rose. 


THE  ROSE.  109 

It  perfumes  the  air  with  its  sweet-scented  breath, 
Its  spirit  lives  on  past  the  portals  of  death, 
And  reclothes  itself  in  bright  spheres  above, 
Where  'tis   worn  a  badge  of  infinite  love. 

By  it  the  "  May  Queen "  is  happily  crowned ; 
In  th'  wreath  of  angels  it  ever  is  found; 
In  gardens  on  high  it  breathes  its  sweet  prayer, 
And  hides  its  blushes  'neath  th'  evergreens  there. 

What  joy  and  comfort  it  brings  to  the  heart 
By  the  bright  beauty  that  it  doth  impart ; 
It  touches  the  soul  with  its  delicate  breath, 
And  tells  of  a  land  where  there  is  no  death. 

I  love  the  sweet  flowers  as  things  immortal, 
And  hope  to  see  them  beyond  death's  portal, 
Where  all  that  has  lived  upon  this  fair  earth 
Will  enter  with  joy  at  the  higher  birth. 

In  mem'ry  they'll  live  with  me,  I  am  sure, 
So  long  as  spirit  and  mind  shall   endure ; 
For  t'  forget  them  were  misfortune  indeed,  • 
From  which  I  earnestly  pray  to  be  freed. 

They  are  immortal,  for  they  are  of  God, 
Who  caused  them  to  spring  from  under  the  sod, 
And  shake  from  their  petals  love-light  and  power, 
To    prove    that  his    breath    preserves   the   sweet 
flower. 


110  WHISPEKS   AND  ECHOES. 


WAITING  AND  WATCHING. 

OH,  sweet  to  the  mind  are  the  thoughts  of  our 
childhood, 

As  we  rambled  the  lawn,  groves  and  meadows 
all  through ; 

But  brighter,  far  brighter,  we  painted  our  man 
hood, 

With  a  love  that  was  pure,  sacred,  holy  and 
true. 

The  bright,  sunny  smiles  of  gay  youth  have  de 
parted, 

Our  look  it  is  haggard,  and  the  cheeks  they  are 
pale  ; 

Disappointed,  we're  left  almost  broken-hearted, 

While  passion  now  sweeps  over  the  mind  like  a 
gale. 

The    beautiful     day     dreams    which    fancy    had 

painted 

Have  fled  from  the  sight  to  oblivion's  dark  tomb ; 
Weak,  wounded  and  bleeding,   the  heart  it  has 

fainted, 
And  in  sympathy  all  the  senses  have  swooned. 


WAITING   AND   WATCHING.  Ill 

All  alone,  yes,  alone !  all  through  life  how  lonely ! 
No     one    to    sympathize    with    my    sad,     aching 

heart ! 

Yes,  yes !   there  is  one,  just  one  dearest  and  only ; 
But  fate,  cruel  fate,  has  placed  us  far,  far  apart. 

How  anxious  the  mind  that  is  waiting  and 
watching 

To  catch  the  sweet  voice  of  the  one  that  is  be 
loved  ; 

Aftd  how  harshly  pleasures  of  others  come   grat- 

•     ing 

When  the  form  of  that  dear  one  from  sight  is 
removed. 

Waiting  and  watching  for  the  sweet  words   once 

spoken, 
Listening  to  catch  the  first  soft   sounds  from  the 

voice ; 

Waiting  to  impart  purest  love's  highest  token, 
Ever    watching    to    embrace    the    heart's    fairest 

choice. 

Sitting  in  silence  while  night's  darkness  is  fleeting, 
And  dreaming  of  pleasures  that  the  future   may 

yield ; 

Longing  for  the  time  when  our  souls,  again  meet 
ing, 
With  a  love  heaven-born  may  forever  be  sealed. 


112  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

Life's  summer  is  passing,  and  autumn's  approach 
ing* 

And  soon  will  be  felt  her  frosts  and  snows  cold 
and  drear ; 

Already  we  feel  her  dread   presence  encroaching, 

And  nipping  our  sweet  flowers  to  us,  oh !  so 
dear. 

Waiting   and    watching  stern,    cold   winter    come 

nigher  ; 
Oh,  how  bleak,  how  barren,  how  forlorn  and  how 

sad  ! 
Yet   there   is   a   thought   which   puts   an    end    to 

desire, 
And  makes  the  heart  both  rejoice,  feel  merry  and 

glad. 

'T  is  this,  —  that  the  last  biting  frosts  of  Decem 
ber 

Will  finish  all  our  waiting  and  watching  while 
here ; 

Then  not  a  sigh  nor  sorrow  will  we  remember, 

As  we  begin  life  anew  in  some  brighter  sphere. 

Then  finished  our  waiting,  and  finished  our 
watching, 

No  more  will  tears  of  anguish  in  sorrow  arise : 

But,  joined  to  our  dear  ones,  no  more  again 
parting, 

We  will  wing  our  swift  flight  through  the  an 
gelic  skies. 


WAITING   AND   WATCHING.  113 

Oh,   blessed   be   the  thought   that   the   dear   ones 

that  love  us 
Again  shall  be  ours  when  life's  struggles  are  all 

o'er; 
And    welcome    the    time    when    the    loved    ones 

above  us 
Shall    descend    to   conduct    us   to    that   heavenly 

shore. 


WHISPERS. 

As  in  the  garden  best  tended 

Are  found  the  brighest,  sweetest  flowers, 
So  in  the  mind  most  cultivated 

Grow  the  grandest  godlike  powers. 
From  soil  that  is  not  stirred  at  all 
Little  is  garnered  in  the  fall. 

As  empty  wagons  sound  the  loudest, 

So  do  heads  with  nothing  in : 
Ever  rumbling,  growling,  grumbling, 

Seeing  naught  but  wrong  and  sin. 


114  "WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 


SMILE  NOT   TOO   FONDLY   ON   ME. 

SMILE  not  too  fondly  on  me, 

Love   me  only  as  a  brother ; 
Give  friendship  pure  and  holy,  — 

I  ask  not  for  any  other. 
Help  me  to  do  life's  duty, 

Every  burden  bearing  gladly, 
Nor  force  where  waves  of  passion 

Will  surge  o'er  my  spirit  madly. 

Let  noble  thoughts  control  thee 

In  entering  another's  home  ; 
On  virtue's  sacred  altar 

A  pure   offering  let  be  shown. 
Touch  not  young  Cupid's  quiver, 

Nor  to  his  bow  an   arrow  lend, 
Lest  in  a  thoughtless  moment 

Depart  a  true  and   worthy  friend. 


WHISPERS. 


THOSE  who  can  see  a  devil  in  any  of  Nature's 
works  must  have  a  devilish  eye  to  view  him  with. 


INDIVIDUAL   FREEDOM.  Hi 


INDIVIDUAL   FREEDOM. 

I  HOLD  it  to  be  the  right  of  every  one  to  draw 
from  the  great  treasury  of  Nature  and  the  abundant 
store  which  she  provides,  that  which  is  necessary  to 
the  health,  comfort  and  growth  of  the  bod}^  the 
happiness  and  unfoldment  of  the  mind,  and  the  full 
and  perfect  development  of  the  soul,  wherever  they 
may  find  the  same,  without  transgressing  or  infring 
ing  upon  rights  belonging  to  others  ;  further,  that 
natural  demands  are  natural  rights,  and  as  such 
should  be  held  sacred  by  all. 

That  the  duty  of  every  government,  and  the  ob 
ject  of  all  law,  should  be  for  the  express  purpose 
of  securing  to  individuals  that  which  will  give 
them  the  highest  degree  of  physical,  mental, 
moral  and  -spiritual  prosperity. 

As  the  body  is  formed,  unfolded  and  sustained 
by  the  operation  of  inherent  affinitizing  laws  and 
immutable  principles  from  the  endless  variety  of 
forces  and  substances  in  nature,  all  have  rightful 
claims  upon  her  bounty,  that  must  sooner  or  later 
be  met  and  fully  satisfied.  Nature  never  repudiates 
any  of  her  just  debts,  but  liquidates  all.  claims  to 
the  uttermost  farthing,  and  is  just  as  particular 


116  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

that  we  should  meet  all  demands  due  her  with  the 
same  degree  of  promptitude. 

Further,  that  we  have  no  right  to  judge  of  the 
motives  which  prompt  another  to  action,  unless  we 
accept  for  ourselves  the  exact  position  they  occupy, 
with  the  same  temperament,  organization,  demands 
and  influences  surrounding  us  that  are  around 
them. 

That  individuals  are  creatures  of  circumstance, 
and  are  subject  to  the  active  influence  of  those  laws 
which  govern  the  particular  class  of  elements 
which  enter  into  and  form  their  being. 

It  would  be  unreasonable  and  foolish  to  ask  of 
one  who  was  blind,  to  see,  simply  because  we  failed 
to  comprehend  his  lack  of  sight ;  and  it  is  evidence 
of  shortsightedness  in  us  to  expect  persons  possess 
ing  small  intellectual  organs  to  express  the  wisdom 
of  a  Webster,  the  eloquence  of  a  Clay,  or  the 
philosophy  of  a  Franklin.  Great  men  are  made 
so  by  their  organization  and  the  influences  in  life 
which  call  into  action  the  high  moral  and  intel 
lectual  capacities  which  they  have  inherited.  Men 
do  not  make  or  unmake  themselves,  but  what  is 
within  them  called  and  quickened  into  activity  by 
surrounding  influences ;  and  truth  reveals  the  fact 
to  mankind  that  a  Judas  was  as  essential  to  the  plan 
of  the  Christians'  salvation  and  their  theories  of  the 
world's  redemption  as  was  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  not- 


INDIVIDUAL  FREEDOM.  117 

withstanding  the  unwholesomeness  of  the  philosophy 
to  the  religious  minds  of  the  world.  That  Homer, 
Socrates,  Plato,  Aristotle,  Cicero,  Demosthenes, 
Shakspeare  and  Milton,  with  all  their  intellectual 
greatness,  were  nothing  more  than  what  the  demands 
of  the  age  in  which  they  lived,  acting  upon  the 
large  capacities  and  capabilities  of  their  mentality, 
compelled  them  to  be.  And  all  of  their  virtue, 
honor,  integrity,  morality,  philosophy  and  high 
noblemindedness  were  but  the  germinating  and 
growth  of  moral,  spiritual  and  intellectual  seeds 
planted  in  their  embryotic  natures,  and  which  the 
demands  of  life  and  circumstances  surrounding 
them  acted  upon  to  fecundate  and  bring  forth. 

It  is  noble  to  praise  a  noble  act ; 

But  he  who  praises  the  channel  through  which  it 
flows 

Reveals  to  wisdom  the  bold,  burning  fact 

That  the  amount  of  truth  is  small  that  he  be 
stows. 

A  well-balanced  organization  produces  a  being 
of  harmony  ;  whereas  an  unbalanced  one  produces 
one  of  inharmony. 

The  unbalanced  state  of  our  natures  becomes  a 
demand,  which  develops  aspiration,  which  is  the 
parent  cf  every  human  desire.  When  using  the 


118  WHISPERS    AND    ECHOES. 

term  balanced,  we  do  not  mean  to  be  understood  as 
using  it  in  the  absolute  sense ;  for,  were  it  possible 
to  become  perfectly  and  completely  balanced,  we 
would  have  no  further  desire,  aspiration  would 
cease,  stagnation  would  be  the  result,  and  we 
would  be  enfolded  in  the  arms  of  an  eternal  night 
of  lethargy. 

Nature  has  so  organized  and  surrounded  us  that 
it  is  utterly  impossible  for  us  to  ever  become  per 
fectly  and  absolutely  balanced.  The  individuality 
of  atoms  and  atomic  forces,  with  the  endless  variety 
of  influences  which  they  develop,  and  out  of  which 
we  are  formed,  will  forever  keep  us  in  the  line  of 
want,  and  cause  us  to  seek,  in  all  the  different 
departments  of  nature,  for  those  hidden  treasures 
for  which  we  feel  a  demand.  It  is  this  which  con 
stitutes  and  forms  the  grand  object  and  aim  of 
life.  Our  greatest  happiness  is  found  in  the 
deep  anticipations  we  experience  while  in  pursuit 
of  that  which  we  imagine  will  satisfy  the  longing 
aspirations  of  the  soul.  But  when  the  pursuit  is 
ended,  the  victory  won,  and  the  prize  obtained, 
there  have  been  developed  new  desires,  greater 
demands,  higher  aspirations,  sublimer  powers,  more 
potent  forces,  than  existed  in  the  first  instance. 
And  thus  it  is  all  through  life,  whether  we  seek 
blessings  in  the  line  of  virtue,  or  misery  in  the 
paths  of  vice. 


INDIVIDUAL   FREEDOM.  119 

A  little  vice  doth  a  larger  breed, 

Because  it  multiplies  its  seed ; 

While  virtues  e'er  from  virtues  spring 

To  bless  each  soul  through  which   they  sing. 

The  organs  of  veneration  and  spirituality,  when 
acted  upon  by  the  inspirations  of  the  angel  world, 
cause  the  individual  to  express  all  the  beauty  and 
purity  belonging  to  the  divine  soul.  And  thus  it 
is  with  the  animal  and  intellectual :  if  the  back 
brain  overbalances  the  front,  or  intellectual,  the 
man  or  woman  is  upon  the  brute  plane,  and  can 
only  enjoy  natures  similar  to  their  own  ;  whereas,  if 
they  are  upon  the  intellectual,  it  is  because  the  per- 
ceptives  and  reflectives  rule,  and  force  them  upon 
that  plane.  Each  individual  organ  of  the  brain  has 
a  center  of  its  own,  to  which  it  attracts  forces  and 
substances  in  harmony  with  itself;  and  from  the 
planes  around  it  gathers  that  which  will  feed  and 
strengthen  it  most.  When  we  are  surrounded  by 
elements  and  influences  that  are  not  congenial  to 
the  spirit,  it  retires,  and  barricades  every  entrance 
to  its  sanctum,  leaving  the  emotional  and  animal 
to  hold  high  carnival  throughout  the  whole  temple 
of  being.  But  when  they  have  become  surfeited 
with  excesses,  and  retire  because  of  exhaustion, 
then  it  is  she  puts  forth  her  hand  and  grasps  the 
reins  of  reason,  and  guides  the  steeds  of  passion 


120  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

out  of  the  sloughs  of   bestiality,  upon   the  broad 
and  well-graded  avenue  of  virtue  and  purity. 

The  soul  is  like  the  diamond,  and  shows  the 
degree  of  brightness  it  possesses,  whenever  the 
light  and  influence  of  truth  fall  upon  it,  the  same 
as  the  ever-changing  hues  of  light  are  reflected 
from  the  crystallization  of  pure  carbon ;  and  is  no 
more  entitled  to  praise  for  its  purity,  so  far  as  its 
own  efforts  are  concerned,  than  the  stone  is  for  its 
brightness :  the  same  law  in  nature  which  gave 
brightness  to  the  stone  gives  beauty  to  the  soul. 
Mankind  are  just  what  the  forces  forming  them 
compel  them  to  be ;  and  as  well  might  they  try 
to  change  the  color  of  their  eyes  or  the  shape  of 
their  ears  by  the  simple  effort  of  will,  as  to  change 
their  passional,  emotional  or  intellectual  natures 
without  the  aid  of  influences  superior  to  them 
selves. 

When  we  are  assisted  by  those  having  and  pos 
sessing  large  spirituality,  we  are  enabled  to  enjoy 
light  in  proportion  to  our  spiritual  capacity :  so  of 
the  other  portions  of  our  mental  being 

Intelligence  is  poorly  bestowed 

That's  cast  before  the  brutal  swine ; 

But  where  it  makes  of  man  a  god 
It  points  to  attributes  divine. 


INDIVIDUAL  FREEDOM.  121 

Nature  unfolds  it  as  the  guide 

Tcr  guard  the  soul  while  on  the  earth ; 

For  past  and  present  Wants  provide, 
Unfolding  all  in  us  of  worth. 


o 


It  is  the  servant  of  the  soul, 

And  should  obey  its  lordly  will, 

Keeping  the  passions  in  control, 
While  highest  bliss  to  all  distill. 

Then,  like  a  Christ,  the  kingdom  give 
Back  to  the  soul  when  are  put  down 

All  enemies,  and  it  receive 
Of  Nature  an  immortal  crown. 

Then  wisdom's  tree  will  need  no  sword 
To  guard  and  keep  its  precious  fruit ; 

For  Truth,  Jehovah's  saviour  word, 
Will  raise  mankind  above  the  brute. 


WHISPERS. 


A  RELIGIOUS  bigot  is  a  scourge  and  curse  to  all 
who  exercise  the  high  prerogative  of  worshiping 
according  to  the  dictates  of  their  consciences. 


122  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 


WOUNDS. 

WHO  has  not  been  wounded 

In  head  or  bleeding  heart? 
Who  has  not  felt  poison 

From  an  enemy's  dart? 
If  in  all  the  wide  world 

There  can  be  any  found, 
Let  them  be  called  perfect, 

As  such  henceforth  be  crowned. 

A  wound  in  the  body 

Brings  but  a  little  smart ; 
A  wound  within  the  mind 

Comes  nearer  to  the  heart ; 
But  a  wound  in  spirit 

Gives  far  the  greatest  pain, 
And  the  one  who  gives  it 

Will  have  to  bear  the  stain. 

Each  unkind  word  spoken 
Draws  demons  to  the  soul, 

When  spirit,  life's  token, 
Goes  under  their  control  j 


WOUNDS.  123 

All  pain  brought  another, 

Each  tear,  each  moan,  each  sigh, 

Again  its  author  '11  meet 
Where  souls  never  die. 

If  the  shafts  of  envy 

Should  make  you  weep  and  moan, 
If  the  stings  of  slander 

Should  cause  a  sigh  or  groan, 
Forgive  and  forget  it, 

Is  much  the  better  way, 
It  makes  us  more  Godlike 

Forgiveness  to  display. 

If  evil  tongues  should  say 

You  are  not  good  and  true, 
Put  forth  greater  effort, 

The  path  of  right  pursue ; 
Do  not  stop  or  heed  them, 

The  good  are  sure  to  win, — 
Vile  words  never  enter 

Where  opes  no  gate  of  sin. 

Remember,  those  loved  ones, 
Who've  left  the  shores  of  time 

Are  watching  always  near, 
Whispering  in  prose  or  rhyme, 


124  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Saying,  Do  not  weary, 

But  bravely  force  your  way 

To  the  gates  of  glory, 
A  brighter,  better  day. 

Act  well  the  part  given 

In  the  drama  of  life, 
Let  self-abnegation 

Keep  from  all  deeds  of  strife ; 
Never  be  discouraged 

Nor  bow  to  slavish  fear; 
We  all  are  some  brighter 

For  chis'lings  we  get  here. 

Why  then  care  for  sorrow? 

It  cannot  always  last ; 
Why  of  future  borrow, 

Or  cling  to  dying  past? 
Live  now  in  the  present, 

Seeking  the  greatest  good, 
Unfolding  that  within, 

As  Nature  meant  we  should. 

Then  let  all  be  merry, 

And  sing  and  shout  for  joy  ; 

The  time  is  not  distant 

When  life's  ship  '11  sound,  Ahoy  I 


ALL   IS   WELL.  125 

As  it  hails  port  of  heaven, 

In  that  bright  spirit  land, 
Where  we'll  join  angels  given 

For  our  guardian  band. 


ALL  IS   WELL. 

COME,  sing  to  me  of  that  fair  land, 
That  land  where  loved  ones  dwell, 
Where  crystal  fountains  ever  flow, 
And  all  is  well. 

Sing  of  those  beautiful  rivers 

Whose  banks  with  music  swell, 
Where  the  angels  chant  their  paeans, 
That  all  is  well. 

Sing  of  those  embowered  gardens 

Where  Nature's  songsters  tell, 
In  strains  of  perfect  melody, 
That  all  is  well. 


126  VmSPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

Sing  of  those  beautiful  flowers 

That  charm  the  sense  of  smell, 
Breathing  forth,  in  their  sweet  fragrance, 
That  all  is  well. 

Sing  of  the  groves  and  rippling  rills, 

The  mountain  and  the  dell, 
Where  the  gentle  zephyrs-  murmur 
That  all  is  well. 

Sing  of  lakes  whose  banks  are  bordered 

With  bloom  and  pearly  shell, 
Whose  pure,  peaceful  anthems  echo 
That  all  is  well. 

Sing  of  those  beautiful  angels 

Who  will  soon  come  and  tell 
That  our  labors  here  are  ended, 
And  all  is  well. 

Sing  of  that  beautiful  shallop 
That  will  ring  loud  its  bell, 
As  with  our  spirits  it  anchors 
Where  all  is  well. 

Sing  of  God,  our  Spirit  Father ; 
Let  his  praise  all  hearts  swell, 
Till  we  reach  that  better  mansion 
Where  all  is  well. 


ORPHAN'S  COMPLAINT  AND  PKAYER.      121 


THE  ORPHAN'S  COMPLAINT  AND  PRAYER. 

I'M  a  poor  orphan  in  the  cold,  cold  street ; 
Scanty  my  garments  and  naked  my  feet, 
With  no  one  to  pity,  no  one  to  love, 
Except  the  angels,  who  watch  from  above. 

I'm  an  orphan  ;   no  sisters,  no  brother ; 
Freezing,  starving,  no  father,  no  mother ; 
Wand'ring  in  darkness  and  storm  all  alone, 
With  no  one  to  feed  or  give  me  a  home. 

O  angels  above,  Avhy,  why  was  I  born, 
An  object  of  pity,  creature  of  scorn? 
Whipped  like  the  dumb  brutes,  and  driven  away, 
Threatened  and  scolded  wherever  I  stay. 

Once  I  had  a  mother,  gentle  and  kind, 
Pure  as  crystal,  like  the  diamond  her  mind, 
Who  used  to  kiss  me  and  pat  my  soft  cheek : 
How  gentle  and  kind  were  words  she  did  speak. 

But  my  dear  mother  was  taken  from  earth ; 
Robbed  of  my  sweet  home,  I  was  driven  forth 
Into  the  dark  street  to  beg  or  to  die, 
Where  none  would  listen  or  heed  my  sad  cry. 


128  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Mother  dear,  can  you  your  darling  now  see? 
And,  angel  mother,  do  you  still  love  me? 
If  so,  ask  of  God  to  take  me  on  high, 
For  your  little  darling  now  wants  to  die. 

Oh,  how  hard  to  starve,  in  sight  of  nice  food ! 
Is  it  because,  mother,  I  am  not  good? 
I'm  left  unprovided  —  nothing  at  all : 
Oh,  angels  in  heaven,  hear  my  sad  call! 

Mother  oft  told  me  to  kneel  down  and  pray: 
They  were  beautiful  words  she  had  me  say ; 
She  taught  me  to  seek  forgiveness  and  bread, 
And  for  good  angels  to  watch  round  my  bed. 

How  beautiful  all  things  seemed  to  me  then,  — 
The  mountains  and  valleys,  forests  and  glen  : 
Ev'ry  one  was  good  and  kind  as  could  be, 
But  now  do  nothing  but  scold  and  whip  me. 

I  wonder  if  I  could  now  pray  aright  — 
But  it  may  be  God  couldn't  listen  to-night, 
For  there  are  so  many,  blessings  to  share: 
Perhaps  there's  nothing  for  me  he  could  spare. 

And  yet  I  will  ask,  for  now  it  may  be 
That  some  bright  angel  is  whispering  to  me, 
And  putting  these  thoughts  right  into  my  mind ; 
I  feel,  if  I  seek,  a  blessing  I'll  find. 


ORPHAN'S  COMPLAINT  AND  PRAYER.      129 

HER  PRAYER 

Father  of  all  things  on  land  or  in  sea, 
Wilt  thou  hear  and  answer  a  prayer  from  me  ? 
And  if  I  ask  for  what  thou  canst  riot  give, 
Grant  me  thy  pardon,  my  error  forgive. 

Wilt  thou  give  me  friends  who  are  true  and  good, 
Who  will  take  and  love  me,  giving  me  food, 
Guiding  my  feet  where  thy  will  I  can  learn, 
Forgiving  all  those  who  my  presence  spurn? 

Give  wisdom  and  knowledge  to  guide  aright, 
Inspire  me  with  truth  and  its  holy  light ; 
Give  pity  for  the  rich,  love  for  the  poor, 
Make  me  an  index  to  heaven's  bright  door. 


o 


Give  charity  for  faults  of  another, 
Forgiveness  for  each  sister  and  brother ; 
Respect  for  the  aged ;    a  listening  ear, 
That  their  counsels  may  guide  while  I  live  here. 

Give  patience,  that  I  with  others  forbear, 
And  help  those  who  need,  their  burdens  to  share ; 
Strength  for  the  weary  who  faint  by  the  way, 
Guide  to  the  wayward,  inclining  to  stray. 

Give  bread  for  our  bodies,  thought  for  the  mind, 
Hearing  to  the  deaf  and  sight  to   the  blind, 
Speech  to  the  dumb  and  wisdom  to  the  fool, 
Truth  for  their  best  guide,  and  virtue  their  rule. 


130  WHISPERS   AJfD  ECHOES. 

Give  justice  to  each,  judge,  jury  and  court ; 
Industry  that  all  may  earn  •  their  support ; 
Knowledge  and  honor  to  scholar  'nd  teacher; 
A  blessing  for  all  born  out  of  nature. 

May  our  talents  be  used  for  those  in  want; 
In  the  struggle  for  right  may  we  be  front, 
And  with  both  hands  and  tongue  do  all  we   can 
To  reform  weak  woman  and  weaker  man. 

Let  thy  will  above  be  done  in  the  earth ; 
Teach  us  to  value  our  spirits'  true  worth, 
Laying  up  treasures  with  thee  in  the  skies, 
That  each  may  receive  when  this  body  dies. 

Teach  us  day  by  day  the  way  we  should  live; 
Forgive  and  bless  us  as  we  shall  forgive ; 
Pour  out  thy  spirit  upon  each  brother; 
Lovingly  aid  as  we  do  each  other. 

And  now,  All-Father,  if  aught  thou  dost  see 
That  will  draw  all  of  us  nearer  to  thee, 
Grant  it,  and  to  thy  name  be  honor  given, 
By  those  upon  earth  and  with  thee  in  Heaven. 


CONSISTENCY.  131 


CONSISTENCY. 

CONSISTENCY  a  great  sage  once  defined 
"  To  be  a  bright  jewel,  that  from  the  mind 
Sent  forth  its  beauties  like  a  beaming  star, 
To  dispel  shadows  that  life's  pleasures  mar." 

He  said,  "Ne'er  ask  that  another  receive 
That  which  would  be  likely  your  heart  to  grieve ; 
But  always  step  in  the  other  one's  shoes, 
To  know  just  what  self  should  do  or  refuse." 

Then  if  you'd  be  happy  make  others  so, 
And  kindness  you  ask  on  each  one  bestow  ; 
For  wrongs  are  apt  to  grow  for  themselves  horns, 
While  right  is  a  flower  that  covers  the  thorns. 

If  you  wish  justice  then  to  the  whole  race, 
Deal  out  equal  rights,  regardless  of  place, 
Name  or  position ;  for  Nature,  the  cause, 
Blesses  the  soul  that  keeps  sacred  her  laws. 

Would  you  have  virtue  your  sister  adorn, 
Or  purity  in  your  mother  unshorn? 
Then  elevate  woman  to  her  true  place, 
Nor  seek  by  craft  her  fair  soul  to  disgrace. 


132  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Do  you  believe  that  each  one  should  be  free 
To  follow  such  paths  as  they  can  best  see  ? 
Why  blame,  should  they  find  some  curves  not  in 

yours, 
So  the  same  end  as  thine  to  them  it  secures? 

What  great  presumption  then  to  interfere, 
To  show  the  best  way  to  that  higher  sphere, 
When  angels  through  all  the  world  are  sent  out 
To  show  each  spirit  its  most  direct  route  ! 

To  some  the  near  way  lies  through  a  dark  swamp, 
Without  any  light  save  life's  little  lamp, 
Which  flutters  and  sputters  through  fogs  and  mire 
Which  rise  from  grossest  and  basest  desire. 

Others  over  rocks  and  hills  high  and  steep, 
Some  down  in  dark  valleys  lonely  and  deep, 
Others  through  beautiful  gardens  of  flowers, — 
Each  route  direct  to  the  angelic  bowers. 

So,  when  you  scan  others'  faults  or  their  sins, 
Take  your  position  where  honor  begins, 
And  see  if  the  verdict  which  you  would  give, 
In  turn  you'd  be  willing  from  them  t'  receive. 

Is  your  life  all  pure,  with  no  hidden  shame? 
If  not,  be  consistent,  nor  seek  to  blame 
Those  who  belong  to  the  same  craft  or  crew, 
For  tli'  gale  that  sinks  them  would  also  drown  you. 


A  STORM.  133 


A  STORM. 

Hark !  I  hear  the  deep-toned  murmurings 
Of  the  loud-voiced  thunder  nigh: 

Look !  behold  the  red-tongued  lightnings 
Playing  athwart  yonder  sky. 

See  those  leaden  clouds,  so  lowering, 
'Gainst  great  Nature's  archwa}r  hurled, 

Seemingly  to  heaven  towering, 
Shutting  out  the  upper  world. 

List!   here  come,  on   swift-winged  pinions, 
Howling  winds ;  and  in  their  train 

Are  the  plumed  rainbow  minions, 
Descending  with  drops  of  rain. 

Now  a  flash,  a  crash,  then  silence, 
Follow  each  o'er  Nature's  floor, 

Keeping  time  to  the  deep  music 
Of  the  rain  and  wave-washed  shore. 

Peal  on  peal  in  swift  succession ; 

The  storm-god  plays  his  wildest  strain ; 
In  unmeasured  tones  he  warbles 

Music  o'er  the  land  and  main. 


134  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Nature  weeps :    behold  the  tear-drops 
Streaming  down  upon  her  face  ; 

Hear  her  sighs  and  dismal  meanings, 
Echoing  through  boundless  space. 

Fiercer  grow  the  assailing  powers, 
Making  giant  hill-tops  quake ; 

Rending  rocks  from  out  the  mountain, 
Giving  earth  a  lusty  shake. 

Now  it  passes ;   nature  brightens  ; 

Sun  shines  forth,  the  storm  is  o'er; 
Now  the  pillared  clouds  they  whiten  ; 

Calm  succeeds  the  tempest's  roar. 

The  air  is  now  pure  and  balmy, 
Earth  is  robed  in  fairer  green : 

'Twas  but  Nature  at  her  toilet ; 
Now  she  reigns  a  sweeter  queen. 

Look!   she  wears  the  purple  rainbow, 
Made  of  crimson,  green  and  gold ; 

On  her  brow  it  glows  with  beauty, 
Arch  exquisite  to  behold. 

Now  the  sun-god  smiles  upon  her, 
Kissing  all  her  tears  away, 

As  he  creeps  within  her  bosom, 
And  cloth  with  her  treasures  play. 


A   STOEM.  135 

Heaven  sends  on  us  and  planets 
Storms  to  make  us  brighter  shine, 

Washing  off  the  filth  and  debris 
Which  obscure  both  soul  and  mind. 


WHISPERS. 

Y  As  frost  opes  the  shell  of  the  walnut,  so  grief 
opes  the  shell  of  the  soul,  that  the  divine  germ  of 
goodness  may  come  forth  and  shed  its  beauty  o'er 
all  the  earth.  /, 

As  wine  refreshes  the  weary,  and  gladdens  the 
heart  of  the  sorrowful,  so  doth  gentle  speech  calm 
the  turbulent  mind,  and  bring  repose  to  the  restless 
spirit. 

Evil  minds  are  forward  in  believing  others  guilty 
of  the  same  thoughts,  feelings  and  actions  they  find 
in  themselves. 

Resolutions,  be  they  never  so  good,  if  not  put 
into  practice,  are  like  blossoms  which  bear  no 
fruit. 


I 
136  WHISPERS  AND  ECHOES. 


THE   FLOWING  BOWL. 

OH,  the  curse  of  the  flowing  bowl, 
Peace-destroyer  of  the  soul! 
Who  can  tell  the  tale  of  woe  ? 
Who  can  the  misery  know, 
That  is  drained  from  the  vile  cup 
Which  mankind  have  taken  up  ? 

None  can  know,  and  none  can  tell, 

Save  those,  in  a  drunkard's  h 1. 

Oh,  the  fiery  pain  it  brings  ! 
How  the  soul  it  burns  and  stings ! 
Tears  and  groans  are  en  its  wings ; 
Joy  and  peace  from  all  it  flings, 
Leaving  naught  but  tears  and  sighs, 
Mothers'  moans  and  orphans'  cries. 

Oh,  ye  who  conscience  smother, 
Dealing  death  to  another, 
How  can  you  for  paltry  gold 
Let  your  happiness  be  sold, 
And  for  a  full  golden  purse 
Bring  on  self  an  endless  curse  ? 
Damn  self  for  the  love  of  gain, 
Cloud  the  soul  with  guilty  stain, 


THE   FLOWING  BOWL.  137 

Fill   the  world  with  mental  pain, 
Widows  weeping  o'er  their  slain, 
Moaning,  wailing  for  their  dead, 
Till  tears  are  by  angels  shed? 

Look  at  that  poor  sick  mother, 

Striving  her  grief  to  smother, 

Feelings  that  doth  wring  her  breast, 

Hunger  that  will  give  no  rest, 

On  her  hard  pillow  lying, 

Anguish-tossed,  sobbing,  crying, 

Food  and  rest  self  denying 

To  keep  her  babe  from  dying, 

While  husband  and  father  in  drunken  sleep 

Knows  nothing  of  the  bitter  tears  they  weep. 

Where  is  all  that  kind  protection, 
Youthful  love  and  sweet  affection, 
That  were  vowed  should  never  falter, 
As  they  knelt  before  the  altar 
To  invoke  blessings  of  heaven 
Upon  promises  then  given? 
Gone !    Yes,  all  gone  !     The .  cursed  bowl 
Drove  love  and  kindness  from  the  soul. 

Where  is  now  that  happy  father 
Who  did  with  his  loved  ones  gather 
Around  the  hearth  in   "  home,  sweet  home," 
When  the  labors  of  day  were  done? 


138  WHISPERS    AND   ECHOES. 

Where  are  those  presents  that  did  cheer 
The  mother  and  those  children  dear  ? 
Where  now  the  food  and  daily  bread 
With  which  their  bodies  must  be  fed? 
Where  are  the  clothes  to  keep  out  cold  ? 
Where  has  flown  the  close-guarded  gold? 
It  has  gone  to  the  drunkard's  tills 
For  poison  that  the  body  kills. 

Where  the  ringing  laugh  and  smile 

Of  that  beautiful,  happy  child? 

Where  are  the  rose-tints  that  once  dyed 

The  dimpled  cheeks  of  that  young  bride? 

Anxiety,  cares,  want  and  fears, 

Continued  through  long,  weary  years, 

Have  blanched  them,  till  naught  now  remains 

Save  a  mere  wreck  bowed  down  with  pains. 

DRUNKARD. 

WHERE  is  now  that  cottage  home, 
And  the  friends  that  used  to  come 

In  thy  temp'rate  years? 
They  have  fled  thy  fiery  breath ; 
Love  was  quenched,  but  not  with  death: 

It  was  drowned  with  tears. 

Thy  farms  and  lands,  store  and  mill, 
With  the  cottage  on  the  hill, 
Have  all,  all  been  sold: 


THE  FLOWING  BOWL.  139 

And  what  hast  thou  in  return 
Save  bloated  looks  'nd  cheeks  that  burn 
With  misery  untold? 

Reputation  too  is  gone, 

Sold  to  buy  thy  soul  a  wrong, 

While  dark  demons  press  and   throng 

With  infernal   speech ; 

Delirium  pictures  h 1, 

Where  despair  and  serpents  dwell 
Worse  than  tongue  or  pen  can  tell, 

Or  the  fancies  reach. 

Those  dear  ones  henceforth  must  go, 
Clad  in  poverty  and  woe, 
Where  life's  bitter  waters  flow 

From  ruin's  dark  brink ; 
Home  and  hopes  forever  flown, 
Friends  and  happiness  all  gone, 
They  alone   must  wander  on, 

Despoiled  by  drink. 

Oh,  brother,  art  thou  seller 
Of  that  curse  of  the  distiller, 
That  which  is  reason's  killer, 

Beware :    God  is  love, 
'Nd  thou  must  face  him  with  each  deed, 
Meet  all  hearts  thou  'st  caused  to  bleed, 

In  the  world  above. 


140  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 


MAN    FILLS    THE    PLACE    NATURE    FITS 
HIM   FOR. 

THERE'S  a  law  in  nature 

• 

Which  governs   every  kind, 
And  all  have  a  level 

Which  they  will  sometime  find. 
None  need  growl  or  grumble 

About  surroundings  here, 
For  all  have  their  true  plane, 

Are  in  their  rightful  sphere. 

All  things  are  the  result 

Of  a  more  potent  cause ; 
Are  known  and  seen  effects 

Of  principles  and  laws ; 
And  as  the  great  Builder 

Has  need,  He  puts  in  shape, 
Fitting  soul  and  substance 

To  fill  some  open  gape. 

Each  takes  a  spot  or  place 

By  some  other  forsook  : 
It  may  be  one  low  down, 

Or  higher  than  we  look. 


MAN  FILLS    HIS   PLACE.  141 

But  if   design  thus  wills, 

Up  comes  a  force  to  rule, 
And  we  soon  are  landed 

Where  stood  a  man  or  fool. 

There  are  forces  in  some 

That  nothing  can  deprave ; 
In  some  there's  a  spirit 

No  power  could  enslave  ; 
Whilst  others  have  no  aim 

Above  the  menial's  hire  : 
To  be  "Simple   Cipher" 

Is  the  end  of  desire. 

All  show  forth  a  power 

Of   less  or  greater  worth ; 
True  merit  soars  above 

The  fleeting  things  of  earth : 
For  truth  works  everywhere 

To  bless  the  mental  poor, 
Keeping  its  bright  presence 

At  each  heart's  open  door. 

If  what  nature  made  'good 

Doth  kindle  burning  ire, 
Or  develop  passion, 

Unfolding  gross  desire, 


142  "WHISPEES   AND   ECHOES. 

Misjudge  nor  fault  the  same 

By  calling  it  evil : 
It  is  the  storm-tossed  wave, 

Seeking  for  its  level. 

The  body  that  rules  th'  brain 

Will  be  inclined  to  lust ; 
It  was  formed  for  labor, 

And  work  it  will  and  must : 
Therefore  'tis  kept  within 

The  bounds  of  weak  desire, 
Add  naught  but  hard  labor 

Can  such  a  soul  inspire. 

All  have  their  true  labor, 

Be  it  in-doors  or  out; 
All  their  rightful  business, 

Where'er  they  move  about. 
Yea,  drones  in  nature's. hive 

Are  of  the  greatest  use: 
They  are  well  adapted 

To  take  the  world's  abuse. 

Smoothly-spoken  villains 
Have  a  use,  we  confess: 

They  tend  to  make  sharper, 
Exciting  cautiousness; 


MAN  FILLS   HIS   PLACE.  143 

Also  serve  auxiliary 

To  the  sable-robed  priest, 
For  by  such  great  sinners 

His  business  is  increased. 

Where  would  be  the  churches, 

If  none  were  thought  depraved  ? 
Or  crown  of  liberty, 

Were  there  no  souls  enslaved? 
Where  would  be  the  story 

Of  Calvary  and  sin  ? 
I  will  tell  you  :    listen  ! 

They  never  would  have  been. 

Who  would  build  our  railroads, 

Our  bridges  and  canals, 
Or  who  would  be  our  servants, 

Were  there  no  Pats  and  Sals? 
I  tell  you,  no  great  work 

Nor  public  would  be  made, — 
Were  brain  cheap  as  muscle, 

Improvements  soon  would  fade. 

They  who  have  brain  enough 

To  work  a  thousand  hands, 
Or  a  mind  to  perceive 

What  this  great  world  demands, 


WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

Would  display  much  folly 
Working  a  single  pair, 

Holding  in  their  bondage 
Talents  and  genius  rare. 

All  are  joined  together 

As  Nature  first  designed ; 
The  grosser  must  be  ruled 

By  finer  powers  of  mind. 
'Tis  not  the  diamond's  size 

Which  decides  its  true  worth, 
But  purity,  and  power 

To  send  the  lightnings  forth. 

Life's  chain  starts  in  matter, 

Is  linked  to  the  unknown; 
It  winds  through  all  the  earth, 

And  seeks  a  higher  throne. 
We  embrace  each  other 

The  same  as  do  the  links, 
And,  when  much  entangled, 

Death  takes  out  all  the  kinks. 

Those  who  pick  at  Nature, 
Her  works,  her  ways,  or  laws, 

In  ignorant  blindness 

Complain  of  that  great  Cause 


MAN  FILLS   HIS   PLACE.  145 

Which  unfolded  all  things, . 

Made  them  perfect  and  good, 
Beautiful  and  useful, 

When  rightly  understood. 

Are  not  all  our  members 

Needful  to  us  while  here, 
Performing  life's  labors 

In  every  clime  and  sphere,  — 
All  doing  their  duty, 

As  Nature  first  designed, 
Separate  in  action, 

A  unit  when  combined? 

It  is  not  expected 

The  foot  will  hear  or  talk, 
Or  the  mouth,  eye  or  tongue 

Will  run  or  jump  or  walk, 
But  fulfill  its  mission 

In  harmony  with  law 
While  from  life's  vast  fountain 

Nectareous  pleasure  draw. 

Learn  this,  nor  forget  it, 

All  you  who  would  be  wise, 
That  those  who  fain  would  seek 

Nature  to  criticise, 


146  WHISPERS  AND   ECHOES. 

Presume  to  teach  that  Cause 

Which  comprehends  the  whole, 
-  Whose  wisdom  is  supreme, 

And  holds  all  in  control. 

/ 

Each  stream  has  its  channel, 

Each  atom  its  own  groove, 
All  beings  their  orbits 

In  which  to  turn  and  move ; 
Rolling  round  each  other, 

The  small  around  the  great, 
Marching  onward,  upward, 

To  higher,  purer  state. 

All  those  who  keep  the  course 

Which  Nature  placed  them  in, 
Are  guilty  —  so  say  some  — 

Of  an  enormous  sin, 
And  should  at  once  leave  it 

For  a  poor,  lonely  road, 
On  which  roam  few  pilgrims, 

Seeking  the  unknown  God. 

That  which  bears  us  onward, 
No  matter  what  it  be, 

Springs  from  source  infinite 
In  love  and  purity; 


MAN  FILLS   HIS   PLACE.  147 

Permeates  the  atom, 

Fixing  its  labors  here, 
The  same  as  of  angels 

On  this  and  higher  sphere. 

As  parts  of  the  body 

Have  their  proper  place, 
So  all  things  in  nature 

The  mind  or  soul  can  trace, 
And,  in  spite  of  comment, 

On  things  we  may  abhor, 
We  are  each  in  the  spot 

We  are  best  fitted  for. 


WHISPERS. 

DID  we  but  control  our  appetites  and  passions, 
there  would  be  small  use  for  medical  quacks  or 
legal  shysters  in  any  community. 

As  a  drop  of  poison  may  destroy  the  body,  so 
may  an  unkind  word  sever  a  life-long  friendship, 
making  a  good  friend  an  unrelenting  enemy. 


148  "WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 


A  SHORT    SERMON. 

TEXT.— "BE  KIND." 

BE  kind  to  all  within  thy  reach, 
No  matter  what  their  station; 

And  practise  e'er  what  thou  dost  preach, 
For  soul  growth  and  salvation. 

If  other  minds  and  eyes  are  such, 
That  they  cannot  see  the  right, 

Go  try,  and  it  may  be  thy  touch 
Will  unfold  to  them  the  light. 

And  if  they're  poor  and  in  distress, 

Help  them !   it  is  thy  duty ; 
By  doing  so,  self  thou  wilt  bless 

With  peace,  and  joy,  and  beauty. 

Are  any  ignorant  of  heaven, 

Teach  them  of  the  world  above, 

And  show  them  that  to  us  are  given 
Angel  guardians  to  love. 

Are  widows  mourning  in  the  land, 

Forget  not  they  are  sisters ; 
Lend  unto  them  a  helping  hand, 

Shield  them  from  all  disasters. 


A   SHOKT   SERMON.  149 

And  if  the  orphan's  wailing  cry 

Is  heard  asking  shelter,  food, 
Remember,  Love's  all-seeing  eye 

Will  behold  if  thou  dost  good. 

Have  temptations  led  the  weak  wrong, 
Causing  them  from  right  to  stray  ? 

Show  them  virtue  is  ever  strong, 
And  points  to  a  better  way. 

Has  thy  sister  woman  fallen, 

And  lost  life's  most  sacred  crown, 

Increase  not  shame  and  disgrace 
By  thy  lofty  mien  and  frown. 

Condemn  not  her  because  she  fell, 
But  pity  more  than  blame  her; 

Remember  time  alone  can  tell 
If  thou  art  any  stronger. 

It  may  be  she  had  no  mother 

To  warn  her  of  the  danger, 
Then  be  a  sister  or  brother 

To  shield  her  from  the  stranger. 

Be  not  unkind  to  the  poor  .child 

That  sighs,  cries  and  moans  for  rest ; 

But  govern  it  by  counsels  mild, — 
They  will  always  prove  the  best. 


150  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Another  ne'er  strike  nor  injure, 

For  there  is  a  record  made 
On  the  parchment  of  the  conscience, 

That  ne'er  from  the  soul  will  fade. 

Each  act,  be  it  good  or  evil, 

Is  placed  there  by  th'  angel  Love, 

To  bring  us  pleasure  and  comfort 
Or  woe  in  the  realms  above. 

Be  firm,  yet  mild,  in  all  thy  ways ; 

Prove  just  and  true  forever: 
Then  happiness  and  peaceful  days 

No  power  from  thee  will  sever. 

Let  envy,  malice,  jealousy, 
Be  banished  from  thy  nature, 

And  in  their  place  radiantly 

Will  spring  love's  smiling  feature. 

Give  smiles  for  frowns,  and  do  not  scold  ; 

Then  true  pleasure  will  attend, 
While  happiness  will  thee  enfold, 

And  remain  thy  constant  friend. 

Let  charity's  mantle  cover  up 

The  faults  of  one  another, 
Then  wilt  thou  pass  the  tear-stained  cup 

From  lips  of  thy  poor  brother. 


KEEP   THYSELF  CLEAN.  151 


KEEP   THYSELF  CLEAN. 

LET  not  from  thy  lip  an  evil  word  slip  ; 

Suppress  each  desire  to  act  mean ; 
Be  careful  of  words,  for  they  are  like    birds, — 

Some  kinds  are  both  foul  and  unclean. 

Strive    bravely,     while    young,    to    bridle     the 

tongue ; 

Remember  thy  life  is  all  seen, 
So  do  not  a  thing  that  to  thee  will  bring 

o  o 

The  feeling  that  thou  art  unclean. 

« 

In  manhood  and  youth  embrace  the  whole  truth : 
It  is  from  the  mind  others  glean : 

Therefore  only  show  the  goftd  thou  dost  know ; 
Keep  back  the  impure  and  unclean. 

Seek  that  kind  of  food  which  is  pure  and  good, 

Thy  nature  from  all  other  ween  ; 
Ne'er  think  it  is  smart  some  gross  slang  to  start : 

It  will  make  thee  dark  and  unclean. 

The  things  that  are  vile  the  mind  e'er  defile 
And  make  it  for  filth  a  coarse  screen  ; 

It  never  grows  great,  but  sinks  to  that  state 
Which  evermore  seemeth  unclean. 


152  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Walk  always  erect,  treat  all  with  respect, 

It  is  bad  to  swagger  or  lean ; 
And  whene'er  thou  can,  stand  up  like  a  man, 

With  feelings  that  are  not  unclean. 

Neither   chew  nor  smoke,  nor   crack  the  coarse 
joke,— 

All  who  have  such  habits  are  green  ; 
The  rum  and  gin  breath  is  brimming  with  death, 

And  makes  the  soul  feel  it's  unclean. 

Let  the  mind  aspire  to  mount  up  higher, 

Thy  spirit  displaying  its  sheen, 
Till  angels  of  love  descend  from  above, 

And  say  to  thy  soul,  Thou  art  clean. 

Keep,  outside  and  in,  free  from  filth  and  sin, — 
Godliness  on  th'  pure  has  a  lien ; 

And  none  will  arise  to  angelic  skies 
Which  spirit  declares  is  unclean. 

Purify  each  part, —  thy  hands,  head  and  heart ; 

Let  not  the  coarse  venom  of  spleen 
E'er  bring  thee  so  low  as  cause  thee  to  do 

Whatever  that  maketh  unclean. 


ODE  TO  MY  MOTHEE.  153 


ODE   TO   MY  MOTHER. 

I  LOVE  thee  just  as  fondly  now, 

My  own  sweet  mother  dear, 
As  before  thou  didst  to  heaven  go, 

And  leave  me  weeping  here ; 
For  I  know  thy  sweet  spirit  guards 

And  guides  me  ev'rywhere ; 
Oh,  beautiful  loving  angel, 

I  feel  thy  constant  care. 

My  mother  dear,  could  I  but  see 

Thy  calm,  sweet  face  to-night, 
Could  I  but  view  the  rippling  smiles 

Which  made  thine  eyes  so  bright, 
Methinks  I  should  feel  happy 

As  when  long  ago,  a  child, 
I  used  to  climb  upon  thy  lap 

For  th'  kiss  my  woes  beguiled. 

Methinks  I  hear  the  same  soft  tones 
Now  bursting  from  thy  throat, 

Which  used  in  the  ev'ning  twilight 
Out  on  the  zephyrs  Coat, 


154  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

When  thou  and  my  dear  kind  father, 
Guarding  those  of  thy  love, 

Invoked  high  and  holy  angels 
To  aid  thee  from  above. 

My  mind  recalls  the  sacred  thoughts 

I  used  to  have  of  thee, 
And  oft  I  wonder  to  myself 

When  thou  art  near  to  me, 
And  think,  dost  thou  know  all  my  mind, 

All  woe,  all  peace,  all  bliss, 
My  ev'ry  thought,  my  hopes,  my  fears, 

When  I'm  of  right  amiss  ? 

Methinks  I  hear  thee  say  to-night, 

As  in  the  days  gone  by, 
Be  guided  by  the  true  and  right, — 

Then,  when  thou  'rt  called  to  die, 
No  frightful  thoughts  will  thee  disturb, 

Nor  mar  thy  peaceful  rest ; 
But  back  to  earth  thy  form  will  go, 

While  thou  shalt  join  the  blest. 

Thy  spirit  has  been  over  me 
When  night  was  all  around ; 

Thy  voice  resounding  in  my  sold 
Has  told  me  to  be  found 


ODE  TO  MY  MOTHER.  156 

Upon  the  side  of  suffering, 

Working  ever  for  the  weak, 
That  mankind  may  be  the  better, 

And  gain  the  joys  they  s'eek. 

My  sweet  mother,  where  is  Heaven  ? 

Is 't  in  some  far-off  sphere  ? 
I  am  sure  that  thou  art  in  it, 

And  yet  I  feel  thee  here : 
Is  it  so  very  far  away, 

Some  great  distance  above  ? 
Or  is  it  here  and  everywhere 

With  those  we  dearly  love. 


WHISPERS. 

ENVY  is  the  great  boil  that  inflames  and  makes 
sore  a  bad-blooded  people ;  and  it  never  heals  un 
til  poverty  pinches  the  core  out  of  it. 

Ambition,  governed  by  correct  principles  of  wis 
dom  and  justice,  will  ensure  to  a  nation  peace, 
prosperity  and  happiness. 


156  "WHISPEES  AND   ECHOES. 


THIS   IS    THE   AGE   OF  REASON. 

THIS  is  the  age   of  reason !    let  mind   all  fetters 

break : 

It  is  the  rankest  treason  truth  to  shun  or  forsake. 
Let  us  reason  together,  said  the  angel  of  the  Lord, 
And  I  will  divide  right  from  wrong  with  Truth's 

two-edged  sword. 

This   is  the  age  of  reason   to   those   who   do   not 

shrink, 
But  march   on  to  Truth's  fountain  and  from  he^r 

waters  drink. 

Nature  puts  in  the  mind  gems  for  reason  to  espy, 
So  work  hard  and  find  them :  thou  wilt  need  them 

bye  and  bye. 

This  is  the  age  of  reason :  why  should  man  fear 
to  think? 

In  the  past  at  ignorance  'tis  said  God  used  to 
wink ; 

But  now  the  command  is  given  that  all  may  under 
stand  : 

He  says,  Seek  out  and  find  me,  —  I  dwell  in  ev'ry 
land. 


THIS   IS   THE  AGE   OF   KEASON.  157 

Yes,  This  is  the  age  of  reason,  comes  welling  from 
the  heart; 

Be  true  in  ev'ry  spot  and  place,  act  nobly  ev'ry 
part; 

Fear  not  the  truths  of  Heaven,  though  they  con 
tradict  thy  creeds : 

Truth  is  God's  cultivator,  to  uproot  thy  mental 
weeds. 

This  is  the  age  of  reason,  is  whispered  to  the  soul : 
Fear  not  scorn  and  derision,  but  press  to  wisdom's 

goal: 

A  beautiful  inspiration  follows  on  reason's  track  ; 
With  truth  it  will  crown  us,  if  we  stop  not  to 

turn  back. 

This   is   the   age   of  reason :   fear  not  the   higher 

powers ; 

Spirit  is  immortal,  and  shall  dwell  in  angel  bowers  : 
Give  wings  to  Aspiration,  and  let  her  speed  away : 
Where  reason  is  the  leader,  it  will  hold  the  right 

way. 

This  is  the  age  of  reason  that  the  prophets  fore 
told ; 

This  is  the  good  time  promised,  and  just  around 
has  rolled ; 

This  is  the  time  wherein  Christ  said  he'd  again 
appear : 

Behold  !  'tis  He  who  speaketh  through  every  truth 
ful  seer. 


158  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

This  is  the  age  of  reason :  see  how  fast  error  flies  ; 
Satan  has  absconded :  behold  how  mankind  arise  ! 
Oblivion  soon  will  close  o'er  the  dogmas  of  the 

past; 
And  truth  will   reign  and  rule   supreme  with  all 

mankind  at  last. 

This  is  the  age  of  reason,  when  fear  alone  bows 

down ; 
Wisdom  esteems  our  manhood,  and  fits  for  each  a 

crown. 
It  says,  Eat  the  tree  of  knowledge,  for  it  brinyeth 

sight, 
And  drives  out  all  the  darkness  which  hides  the 

heavenly  light. 

This  is  the  age  of  reason,  when  the  angels  from 
on  high 

Are  descending  the  ladder  which  Jacob  did  espy, 

Revealing  all  the  beauties  in  their  fair  summer- 
land, 

Unfolding  to  our  vision  a  bright  and  happy  band. 

This  is  the  age  of  reason :    thank  God,  both  small 

and  great ; 
Pour  out  heartfelt  gratitude,  praise  him  early  and 

late : 
Yes,  praise  him  for  his  goodness,  his  wisdom,  love 

and  power ; 
Angels  praise  him  up  above,  on  earth  each  human 

flower. 


CRITICS.  159 


CRITICS. 

LET  would-be  critics,  who  presume  to  scan, 
Judging  all  the  works  of  their  fellow  man, 
Keep  sheathed  their  weapons  till  they  grow  more 

wise, 
Producing  better  than  they  criticise. 

There  are  none  perfect,  said  the  Nazarine ; 
Not  one  save  the  great  All-wise  and  Unseen : 
Hence  they  alone  should  speak  who  comprehend 
The  ultimate  end  to  which  thought  doth  tend. 

Noble  natures  from  an  impending  blow 
Shield  the  weak  and  erring  friend  or  foe ; 
With  due  appreciation  treat  the  grain 
Garnered  in  poverty,  through  toil  and  pain. 

Those  who  delve  for  chaff  in  another's  bin, 
Or  seek  for  the  weeds,  dirt  and  smut  therein, 
Have  a  cast  of  soul  and  a  grade  of  mind 
Which  find  their  level  in  that  class  and  kind. 

The  prowling,  whining  cur  that  nightly  bays 
At  this  earth's  satellite's  bright  silver  rays, 
Displays  not  more  folly  than  does  that  class 
Who,  scribbling  of  others,  write  themselves  Ass. 


160  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

Look  for  the  mote  in  thine  own  dull,  bleared  eye 
Ere  beam  in  another's  thou  seekest  to  spy, 
Is  an  ancient  maxim  Jesus  gave  to  rule 
A  public  nuisance  and  control  a  fool. 

Let  but  those  throw  stones  who  are  without  sin, 
Is  a  just  judgment,  that  has  always  been, 
And  as  true  to-day  as  when  given  to  those 
Who  sought  another's  weakness  to  disclose. 

They  who  others'  labors,  though  poor,  deface, 
Breed  to  themselves  some  merited  disgrace ; 
For  the  truly  good  to  greater  deeds  aspire 
Than  those  which  spring  from  so  base  a  desire. 

Nature  ne'er  intended  any  should  be 
Artists  only  in  point  of  true  degree ; 
That  diverse  minds  should  have  diverse  ways, 
Each  acting  his  part  in  life's  drama  plays. 

'Tis  not  ev'ry  mind  that  is  formed-  to  teach ; 
And  but  few,  I  ween,  are  called  here  to  preach, 
And  fewer  still  to  act  the  part  of  saint: 
Let  only  the  worthy  judge  what  we  paint. 


IMMORTALITY  OF  LIFE.  161 


IMMORTALITY  OF  LIFE. 

How  beautiful  are  the  ledges, 
Mountain  peaks,  plains,  fields  and  hedges, 
The  sparkling  snow  and  crystal  rain, 
All  bursting  forth  in  one  grand  strain! 

The  murm'ring  brooks  through  flow'ry  vales, 
Old  Ocean's  breast  bedecked  with  sails, 
The  forked  lightning's  limpid  flash, 
The  thunder's  roar  and  surge's  splash; 

The  woods  and  lakes  with  their  echo, 
The  gentle  breeze  and  gales  that  blow, 
The  tempest,  whirlwind  and  simoom, 
Life,  its  changes,  man's  fate  and  doom, — 
From  earth  toward  heaven  all  life  springs, 
For  man,  angels,  G-od,  nature  sings. 

The  beautiful  emerald  grass 
Has  power  to  please  us  as  we  pass, 
And  to  all  sweet  lessons  might  teach, 
Could  we  but  know  its  gentle  speech. 


162  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

The  crawling  worm,  the  bug  and  fly, 
Each  have  beauties  that  cannot  die, 
But  in  the  higher  life  on  high 
Will  prove  their  immortality. 

The  fragrant  flowers  we  love  to  wreathe, 
Like  us,  have  life  and  power  to  breathe 
Exhalations  of  sweet  perfume, 
Which  live  beyond  their  earthly  tomb. 

The  pebble  in  the  babbling  brook 
Has  inward  beauty,  if  we  look, 
Which  sings  this  to  the  poet's  muse, 
That  all  things  here  have  endless  use. 

The  little  bird  that  sails  in  sky, 
And  whistles  to  the  passer-by, 
Doth  say  in  his  sweet  warbling  speech, 
"The  future  will  have  homes  for  each." 

The  swift-finned  fish  in  brook  and  pond 
Will  find  lakes  in  the  realms  beyond, 
Where  they  can  sport  in  rainbowed  spray, 
And  in  bright  waters  ever  play. 

All  things  developed  here  on  earth 
Have  fadeless  beauties,  untold  worth ; 
And  as  they  have  a  use  while  here, 
So  will  their  souls  in  angels'  sphere 


IMMORTALITY   OF   LIFE.  163 

Be  raised  up  to  act  that  grand  part 
Which  God  designed  when  he  did  start 
This  vast  universe  to  unfold 
With  all  the  beaut}^  it  doth  hold. 

The  other  world  is  crown  to  this ; 
And  methinks  small  would  be  our  bliss, 
If  birds  and  flowers  we  love  so  dear 
Could  not  be  there  our  souls  to  cheer. 

The  truth  finds  speech  within  the  soul, 
And  says  all  parts  are  of  the  whole ; 
And  if  one  life  should  cease  to  bloon 
All  nature  would  be  clad  in  gloom. 

All  that  is  here  will  there  be  found, — 
The  red  man  with  his  hunting-ground, 
Those  primal  forms  which  close  the  gap 
And  over  on  the  human  lap ; 

The  chimpanzee  and  cunning  ape, 
With  other  forms  of  varied  shape, — 
All  will  find  on  the  spirit  shore 
A  place  to  dwell  for  .evermore. 

All  types  and  kinds,  each  shade  and  race, 
Will  find  the  world  above  has  space 
Sufficient  for  all  found  on  this, 
With  powers  of  endless,  boundless  bliss ; 


104  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

For  each  part  is  of  that  great  whole 
"Whose  life  gives  being  to  the  soul. 

The  white  man  will  in  angel -land 
The  powers  of  mind  and  soul  expand, 
Until  causation  he  shall  clasp, 
And  hold  all  law  within  his  grasp. 


His  infinite  and  vast  abode 
Shall  be  the  universe  of  God, 
Through  which  he  shall  in  raptures  roam 
Through  the  eternities  to  come. 

Large  galleries  of  art  will  there  appear, 
And  as  upward  we  go  from  sphere  to  sphere, 
We'll  see  greatness,  grandeur  and  glory  rise : 
On!    on  forever  through  the  vaulted  skies, 

Large  temples  will  there  be  free  for  the  poor, 
And  truth  will  exist  in  abundant  store ; 
Schools  of  science  will  also  greet  our  view, 
And  in  them  those  principles  ever  true 
Will  be  expounded  by  ancient  sages 
Through  eternity's  progressive  ages. 

Philosophical  Plato  will  preside, 
With  Solon  the  wise  in  angelic  pride, 
And  noble  Lycurgus  for  honored  worth, 
With  Homer  and  his  Iliadic  mirth. 


IMMORTALITY   OF   LIFE.  165 

Demosthenes,  with  his  great  eloquence, 
With  Socratic  logic,  will  there  dispense 
The  true  principles  that  develop  cause 
Producing  effects  by  progressive  laws. 

Raphael  there,  with  acute,  artistic  eye, 
With  worthy  Michael  Angelo  shall  vie 
In  painting  landscapes  of  the  Spirit-world 
To  be  in  those  temples  of  art  unfurled. 

Mozart,  Beethoven,  and  like  kindred  souls, 
Shakspeare  and  Milton,  whom  the  Muse  enfolds, 
Pope,  Burns  and  Byron  with  their  stalwart  rhymes, 
With  other  singers  of  the  present  times. 

The  design  revealed  in  Nature's  great  plan 
Is  to  unfold  the  wisdom  part  of  man  ; 
For  him  are  all  kingdoms  below  progressed, 
That  he  may  be  by  growth  supremely  blessed: 
For  him  doth  all  beneath  his  own  sphere  live, 
Unending  happiness  the  soul  to  give. 

All!    all  is  beautiful,  grand  and  sublime,  , 

And  tarries  here  but  for  a  little  time ; 
Then  goes  with  man  to  the  vast  fields  above, 
All  objects  of  God's  beneficence  and  love. 


166  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 


KEEP   CLIMBING. 

IF  the  road  of  life  is  rugged, 

Apd  a  thorny  path  your  way, 
Never  mind,  but  keep  on  climbing, — 

Go  up  higher  ev'ry  day. 
Little  atoms  joined  together 

Form  this  beautiful  green  earth ; 
Steady  labor,  constant  effort, 

Makes  the  man  of  greatest  worth. 

Mind  and  spirit  are  unfolding 

Upward  to  a  grander  sphere ; 
Better  views  of  life  and  living 

Dawn  upon  us  far  more  clear. 
Sweeter  thoughts  are  slowly  creeping 

Day  by  day  into  the  mind  ; 
Noble  striving,  worthy  seeking, 

Will  Earth's  hidden  treasures  find. 

When  on  ev'ry  side  comes  swelling 
Dark  and  turbid  waves  of  doubt, 

Go  up  higher,  and  more  brightly 
Will  be  seen  the  best  way  out. 


KEEP   CLIMBING.  167 

Give  not  up  to  vain  repinings, 
Hottest  fires  but  burn  the  dross  ; 

We  are  like  gold  when  refining,  — 
Are  made  brighter  by  each  loss. 

The  crucible  of  hard  trials 

Each  must  bravely  learn  to  bear, 
Using  well  the  golden  moments, — 

There  are  none  that  we  can  spare ; 
The  road  which  all  are  traveling 

Has  many  dark  windings  here, 
But  becomes  less  rough  and  broken 

As  its  ending  draweth  near. 

In  youth,  thought  mounts  and  soars  away 

On  strong,  hopeful,  buoyant  wings, — 
A  vivid  imagination 

Its  bright  mantle  o'er  us  flings  ; 
Responsibility  and  care 

We  forsake  and  leave  behind, 
While  duty,  procrastination 

In  its  idle  arms  doth  bind. 

In  manhood  cares  and  burdens 
Come  upon  us  thick  and  fast, — 

All  the  world  in  great  commotion 
Seems  to  have  awoke  at  last. 


168  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

The  bird  that  sang  for  us  in  youth 
Sings  another  wiser  song, — 

Its  music  is  experience, 

Making  mankind  brave  and  strong. 

Then  stop  not  at  little  trials 

But  march  forward  while  you  can ; 
Practice  rigid  self-denial, 

It  will  make  you  more  the  man. 
Ev'ry  time  that  you  self  conquer, 

And  some  base  passion  master, 
You  will  find  you  are  advancing 

Up  life's  great  hill  much  faster. 


WHISPERS. 

LET  all  those  who  delight  to  show 
How  much  or  little  they  may  know, 
One  thought  upon  the  world  bestow 
In  beauty's  shroud ; 

The  noble  mind  withholds  its  jeers, 
While  lesser  and  ignoble  peers 
Come  to  the  front  with  full-grown  ears, 
Arid  bray  aloud. 


SAY   WHAT   YOU  MEAN.  169 


SAY  WHAT  YOU  MEAN. 

BE  manly  and  speak  out  your  mind ; 

Declare  what  you  think  is  right, 
Is  the  best  way  the  truth  to  find, 

Which  fills  all  the  mind  with  light. 

Fear  not  some  gawk  will  cast  a  frown, 
Or  some  fool  be  made  to  scowl ; 

Heed  not  the  bark  of  any  cur, 
Nor  a  lion's  snarl  or  growl. 

Be  what  great  Nature  first  designed, 
A  true,  pure  and  upright  man ; 

No  sacred  right  ever  resign, 
But  be  master  when  you  can. 

Prove  to  the  world  that  you  are  here, 
For  that  never-ending  fame 

Which  lifts  the  soul  above  the  dross 
Of   corroding  sin  and  shame. 

Say  to  old  fogies,  Clear  the  track ; 

Progression  is  under  way, 
And  never  turns  to  catch  the  clack, 

Or  observe  what  others  say. 


170  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

Who  '11  care  what  Madam  Gyundy  says, 
When  a  hundred  years  have  flown? 

She  cannot  lengthen  out  our  days, 
Nor  assist  us  when  we're 


First  please  yourself,  and  never  mind 

The  mouths  and  ugly  faces 
Which  are  made  at  you  by  a  blind 

And  stupid  set  of  asses. 

Cast  out  all  faults  you  find  in  self 

Ere  seek  those  of  another; 
Make  clean  your  garments  ere  you  seek 

To  cleanse  those  of  your  brother. 

Strive  hard  against  oppressive  rules, 
Treat  kindly  your  poor  neighbor ; 

Support  reforms  that  do  exalt 
And  teach  the  world  to  labor. 

Respect  self  and  all  mankind; 

Bow  not  to  superstitions, 
But  let  the  spirit  here  unfold 

Its  highest  inspirations. 

Keep  on  the  side  of  the  oppressed, 
Tread  down  all  petty  minions 

Who  would  our  liberties  despoil, 
Or  trim  their  symbol's  pinions. 


SAY   WHAT   YOU   MEAX.  171 

Stand  firm  for  freedom  to  all  men, 

No  matter  name  or  nation, 
And  this  alone  demand  of   them, 

That  they  shun  degradation. 

Lift  up  your  voice,  and  cry  aloud 

Against  sin  and  oppression  ; 
And  of  true  manhood  be  you  proud, 

If  it's  in  your  possession. 

Assist  each  soul  to  stand  upright 

Before  Truth's  sacred  altar; 
Let  good  works  for  all  sins  atone, 

In  duty  never  falter. 

Speak  out  your  mind  ;    avoid  pretense 

Or  hypocritic  fawning  ; 
And  think  not  justice  an  offense 

When  Truth's  bright  star  is  dawning. 

Let  wisdom  guard  your  daily  walk; 

Bestow  love  on  each  mortal  : 
Then  will  you  find  your  labors  here 

Key  to  the  heavenly  portal. 

And  when  Death  shall  unlock  the  door 

To  that  Aiden  land  of  rest, 
The  poor  man's  blessing  or  his  prayer 

May  serve  your  soul  the  best. 


172  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 


DEATH. 

WHY  should  mankind  Death's  presence  dread  ? 

Why  fear  his  touch  and  power  ? 
The  living  are  the  only  dead 

To  beauties  he  doth  shower. 

We  make  him  kill  all  things  beneath 

Ourselves,  that  we  may  live; 
Then  call  him  monster  every  breath 

For  blessings  he  doth  give. 

We  make  him  kill  the  rich  and  poor 

By  war  and  cruel  strife ; 
Then  turn  and  call  him  "tyrant  grim" 

Because  he  lives  on  life. 

We  starve  the  orphans  at  our  door 

Who  beg  in  rags  for  bread, 
And  for  taking  them  to  heaven's  shore 

Pour  curses  on  his  head. 

These  poor,  frail  bodies  full  of  pain 

He  takes  and  lays  away, 
That  we  may  join  an  angel  train 

In  realms  of  endless  day. 


DEATH.  173 

What  would  we  do  did  Death  not  come  ? 

Hold  we  this  earth  so  dear 
That  we  could  this  bleak  desert  roam, 

When  waits  a  brighter  sphere  ? 

Look  at  that  feeble,  poor  old  man, 

Whose  moanings  fill  the  earth: 
Think  you  he'd  murmur  at  the  plan 

Which  brings  him  higher  birth? 

Why  call  we  Death  an  enemy? 

He  is  our  truest  friend: 
'T  is  he  that  opes  the  golden  gate 

Through  which  we  must  ascend. 

He  frees  us  from  all  earthly  woes, 

That  we  may  mount  on  high; 
Our  bodies  in  a  sweet  repose 

He  lays  so  calmly  by. 

He  transforms  us  to  angels  bright, 
And  swings  the  gate  of  heaven,  — 

God's  messenger  from  spheres  of  light: 
To  him  be  honor  given. 


174  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 


THE   SOUL'S   PROGRESS. 

LET  the  loud  thunders  roar,  surge,  roll  and  crash, 
Let  lightnings  limpid  with  death  their  ire  flash, 
Let  matter  with  the  pain  of  earthquakes  roll, 
Let  her  open  a  grave  from  pole  to  pole, — 
Yet  onward  and  upward  will  we  progress, 
Till  we  reach  the  realm  of  true  happiness. 

Let  that  force  and  substance  which  form  the  soul 

In  Nature's  retort  be  again  controlled, 

And  enter  once  more  that  nebulous  zone 

Whose  fineness  surpasses  that  fabled  throne,  — 

Still  on  and  on  will  we  speed  forever, 

And  the  soul  from  progress  naught  shall  sever. 

Our  flight  will  increase  as  our  powers  progress, 
Till  the  soul  shall  make  the  lightnings  confess 
That  they  are  too  slow  in  their  speed  and  flight 
To  cruise  the  vast  realm  of  the  infinite, 
And  a  swifter  train  the  spirit  will  need 
As  on  forever  its  powers  shall  speed. 

When  I  view  lines  of  eternities  past, 

And  think  of  our  great  flight  from  first  to  last, 


THE   SOUL'S   PROGRESS.  175 

How  we  forced  our  way  through  finest  crystal, 
And  rested  the  soul  in  a  flower's  pistil, 
How  small  were  we  then,  scarce  a  parasite's  eye, 
As  we  rode  bright  sunbeams  through  the  deep  sky. 

All  kingdoms  we've  traversed  that  belong  to  earth, 
In  all  forms  of  life  the  soul  has  had  birth: 
A  polarized  point  of  force  man  begun, 
Through  all  coming  cycles  of  time  will  run, 
A  conscious  entity  henceforth  shall  move, 
The  image  of  Him  who  is  wisdom  and  love. 


WHISPERS. 

THE  best  religion  is  that  faith  or  belief  which 
keeps  us  calm  in  the  midst  of  excitement,  cour 
ageous  in  danger,  cautious  when  tempted,  consistent 
in  our  actions,  conscientious  in  our  views,  circum 
spect  in  our  conduct,  and  contented  with  whatever 
lot  Nature  may  bestow  upon  us. 

Repentance  that  brings  not  reformation  is  a 
mockery,  and  leads  to  greater  and  baser  decep 
tion. 


176  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 


LIFE'S   CROWN. 

WHEN  life's  cares  and  temptations  assail, 

And  Dame  Fortune  stands  ready  to  frown, 
There  conies  a  deep  peace  stealing  o'er  me, 

While  a  sweet  voice  says,  "  Wait  for  thy  crown." 
Not  such  as  adorns  the  proud  monarch, 

Engemmed  with  the  fine  diamonds  of  earth, 
But  one  that  is  bright  with  rare  jewels, — 

Noble  deeds  of  more  excellent  worth. 

With  a  hand  both  ready  and  willing 

All  ignorance  and  wrong  to  oppose, 
I'll  stand  with  the  beautiful  angels, 

And  war  hard  against  error's  dark  foes, 
Who  are  seeking  the  weak  and  unwary, 

With  temptations  enticing  them  down: 
For  I  know  each  soul  of  my  helping 

Will  add  one  more  bright  star  to  my  crown. 

When  I  view  the  number  of  shepherds 

Who  are  clothed  with  the  fleece  of  their  flocks, 

As  I  gaze  on  earth's  lazy  stewards 

Gambling  with  their  moneys  and  stocks, 


LITE'S  CROWN.  177 

I  rejoice  my  spirit  is  humble, 

Seeking  neither  surplice  nor  gown, 

Contented  in  doing  life's  duties, 
Awaiting  a  far  worthier  crown. 

For  wealth  I  have  little  attraction, 

For  life's  styles  not  one  whit  of  respect; 
I  bow  not  in  bondage  to  passion, 

Which  degrades  the  soul  or  intellect. 
Coarse  wit  is  a  species  of  garbage 

My  effort  here  shall  be  to  put  down, 
For  I  know  all  such  is  unworthy 

Of  me  or  my  bright,  beautiful  crown. 

My  pathway  lies  plainly  before  me, 

Mapped  out  by  my  angelic  guides: 
I  see  my  bark  tossed  by  the  tempest, 

And  swept  on  by  the  swift-flowing  tides; 
But,  trusting  in  Truth,  my  brave  pilot, 

I  fear  not  my  good  ship  will  go  down, 
But  safely  will  reach  that  fair  harbor 

Where  my  labors  have  earned  me  a  crown. 


WHISPERS. 


POISON  not  infancy  with  deception,  youth  with 
vanity,  or  manhood  with  flattery. 


178  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 


CAST  NOT  PEARLS  BEFORE  SWINE. 

CAST  not  your  pearls  and  jewels  bright 

Before  ignorant  mankind, 
Or,  like  the  swine,  with  all  their  might 
They  will  be  sure  to  squeal  and  fight, 

Because  you  possess  a  mind. 

Consider  well  the  when  and  where 

And  to  whom  your  thoughts  you  speak ; 
Remember,  fools  are  everywhere, 
And  gems  of  thought  they'll  rend  and  tear, 
Not  knowing  good  sense  from  Greek. 

'T  is  comprehension's  power  they  lack, 

As  well  as  the  style  of  grace : 

I  would  to   God  there  were  a  rack 

So  high  and  tight  that  not  a  crack 

Would  gape  to  their  ugly  face. 

They  bristle,  at  ev'ry  thought  expressed, 

From  the  head  down  to  the  foot; 
And  some  with  meanness  are  so  blessed 
You  'd  think  their  share  in  earth's  bequest 
Was  an  appendage  to  root. 


CAST   NOT   PEARLS    BEFORE    SWINE.  179 

There  are  many  such ;   if  brought  to  mind 

Their  names  we  well  remember: 
They  're  neither  manly  nor  refined, 
But  like  nine-day  pups,  are  yet  blind, 
And  mentally  quite  slender. 

They  may  be  found  in  ev'ry  place, 
In  each  business,  sect  and  class ; 

The  professions  they  oft  disgrace  ; 

Are  a  scourge  and  pest  to  any  race 
Excepting  their  own,  the  ass. 

How  oft  must  angels  pity  them 

Upon  so  low  a  level, — 
When  they  throw  off  the  garb  of  men, 
And  what  they  've  not  in  all  condemn : 

They  shame  the  very  devil. 

They  make  us  weep,  they  make  us  mourn, 

Yea,  all  of  our  ardor  cool; 
We  sigh  for  them,  we  cry  for  them, 
Feel  bad  and  deeply  mourn  for  them, 

As  did  Doesticks  for  Damphool. 


WHISPERS. 


CULTIVATE  peace  within  thyself :  then  shalt  thou 
have  no  cause  of  war  with  thy  neighbor. 


180  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 


CONSCIOUSNESS. 

WHEN  consciousness  oblivion's  bonds  first  broke, 
And  leaped  from  the  jaws  of  eternal  night, 

God  to  a  universe  of  chaos  spoke, 

When  law  and  order  dawned  upon  his  sight. 

And  as  each  sped  on  through  unbounded  space, 
Worlds  and  systems  took  up  their  line  of  march, 

While  life  and  beauty  sprang  to  fill  each  place 
Within  th'  infinite  orbit  of  his  arch. 

From  the  empyrean  heights  angels  sprang 
To  greet  and  welcome  Nature's  potent  plan, 

While  from  the  lower  spheres  were  anthems  sung 
Heralding  the  birth  of  the  race  of  man. 

Countless  ages  into  vast  cycles  rolled 

Ere  light  of  reason  dawned  upon  the  world, 

While  gray-bearded  Time  in  his  flight  so  bold 
To  the  gates  of  unending  death  was  hurled. 

God's  consciousness,  absolute  and  supreme, 
Makes  past,  present  and  future  all  the  same, 

While  to  man  life  seems  a  fast-fading  dream; 
His  thoughts,  the  flashes  of  a  dying  flame. 


I'M  JUST  AS  YOUNG,  ETC.  181 


I'M  JUST  AS  YOUNG,  ETC. 

I'M  just  as  young  to-day  as  when 

I  was  but  seventeen; 
My  sense  of  pleasure  full  as  sharp, 

My  love  of  fun  as  keen. 
I  only  know  I'm  getting  old 

By  all  the  years  now  past, 
And  silver  locks  around  my  brow 

Which  time  alone  has  cast. 

Oft  in  my  mind  I  wander  back 

To  childhood's  happy  hours, 
And,  sporting,  ramble  all  day  long 

Among  the  pretty  flowers ; 
Or  to  the  meadow  with  my  dog 

Go  romping  off  to  play, 
Or  watch  old  Top-knot  on  her  nest, 

To  bring  her  egg  away. 

I  love  the  winding  brook  the  same, 
The  orchard  and  the  grove  ; 

The  little  miss,  now  larger  grown, 
With  whom  I  used  to  rove; 


182  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

The  fragrant  pines,  the  old  hill-side, 
All  still  have  charms  for  me ; 

It  cannot  be  that  I  am  old, 
When  I'm  so  full  of  glee. 

My  body  is  not  quite  as  round 

And  plump  about  the  hips ; 
Perhaps  my  teeth  are  not  as  white, 

Nor  cherry-red  my  lips  ; 
But  then  a  hug  and  kiss  right  now 

I  could  as  much  enjoy 
As  when  I  used  to  squeeze  the  girls, 

A  careless,  romping  boy. 

I  love  a  dainty  slipper  now 

As  much  as  e'er  I  did ; 
A  pretty  hand  as  white  as  snow, 

Dressed  up  in  stylish  kid ; 
Bright'  blushing  cheeks  and  dimpled  chin, 

With  lips  of  ruby  hue, 
And  eyes  that  make  rne  think  of  heaven 

In  their  calm  azure  blue. 

I  think  I  now  could  spark  a  girl 

As  well  as  I  did  then; 
Perhaps  might  show  myself  as  soft, 

If  not  as  warm  and  green, 


I'M  JUST   AS   YOUNG,   ETC.  183 

And  enjoy  th'  process  full  as  well 

As  when  I  used  to  go 
Five  miles  or  more,  three  times  a  week, 

To  see  my  darling  Joe. 

And  since  I  love  the  ladies  now, 

It  seems  some  proof,  indeed, 
That  I've  not  changed  regarding  them, 

Nor  let  love  go  to  seed ; 
But  keep  the  verdant  flower  yet 

Vased  safely  in  my  heart, — 
Which  makes  me  think  that  time  has  not 

Changed  me  in  any  part. 

The  pleasures  that  this  life  affords 

To  manhood  in  its  prime 
Are  not  disturbed  or  injured  by 

The  flight  of.  old  King  Time; 
For  every  round  of  merriment 

Which  I  have  ever  quaffed 
Is  fixed  forever  in  my  soul, 

And  on  it  photographed. 

The  friends  I  cherished  in  my  youth 

Are  scattered  far  and  near ; 
Some  have  gone  to  the  summer-land, 

And  some  are  dwelling  here  ; 


184  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

But  in  the  changes  that  have  been 

I  have  not  older  grown ; 
My  spirit  is  as  light  and  gay 

As  when  in  youth  it  shone. 

I  know  ere  long  I'll  quit  this  plane 

And  go  to  one  that's  higher ; 
But  will  not  change  my  feelings  then, 

Nor  lose  a  spark  of  fire 
Which  now  shoots  forth  its  golden  flames 

Within  my  throbbing  breast, — 
I  shall  have  merely  doffed  my  coat 

To  show  my  spirit-vest. 


WHISPERS. 

PARTAKE  not  of  joys  or  pleasures  purchased  at 
the  expense  of  some  other's  happiness. 

Be  kind  to  those  that  serve  us:  for  our  places 
may  be  reversed  in  the  future  that  the  law  of 
compensation  be  executed. 

Some  minds  are  like  hotel  and  boarding-house 
hash-tubs :  they  receive  all  kinds  of  scraps  and 
scrapings  to  be  re-dished  to  hungry  patrons. 


MIND  YOUR   OWN  BUSINESS.  185 


MIND  YOUR  OWN  BUSINESS. 

MIND  your  own  business  wherever  you  are, 
Will   be  found  the  wisest  of  ways ; 

And  where  there  is  time  in  plenty  to  spare, 
Spend  it  not  in  foolish  displays. 

Give  not  your  advice  unsought  to  mankind ; 

Proffered  counsel,  'tis  said,  doth  smell,  . 
While  those  to  whom  offered  will  be  inclined 

To  think  it  too  cheap  to  last  well. 

Whatever  is  gained  through  labor  and  pain 

Is  valued  according  to  cost; 
But  where   the  price   has  been  "  Thank  you," 
'tis  plain 

Its  merit  and  worth  were  both  lost. 

Improve  the  talents  that  Nature  bestows : 
They  are  the  strong  arms  of  the  mind : 

Charity  is  not  the  balm  for  those  woes 
Which  come  to  the  indolent  kind. 

Be  faithful  o'er  all  things  placed  in  your  care, 
And  you'll  prove  to  angels  your  worth; 

Who  by  their  counsels  will  guide  ev'rywhere, 
And  aid  'midst  the  trials  of  earth. 


186  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Mind  your  own  business,  and  uproot  the  weeds 
Which  spring  up  around  your  own  door; 

And,  when  you  have  time,  plant  a  few  seeds' 
To  garner  on  the  summer-land  shore. 

Meddle  not  with  other  people's  affairs: 

When  they  need,  they  will  seek  your  advice ; 

Arise  in  the  morning,  and  after  your  prayers 
Take  of  "Mind  your  own  business"  a  slice. 

Praise  God  by  aiding  that  poor,  erring  child 
Who  is  tempted  to  go  the  wrong  way ; 

See  that  no  other  by  you  is  denied, 
Or  from  virtue's  path  ever  doth  stray. 

Mind  your  own  business,  and  all  will  be  well  ; 

Leave  others  to  tend  to  their  own : 
Then  with  your  neighbor  contented  you'll  dwell, 

And  each  reap  whereof  you  have  sown. 


WHISPERS. 

KEEP  thy  mind  as  full  of  charity  and  kindness 
for  the  weak  and  erring  as  the  heavens  are  of  bright 
stars :  then  wilt  thou  be  able  to  guide  many  a 
wanderer  to  the  haven  of  peace,  hope  and  happi 
ness. 


MIND   MUSINGS.  187 


MIND   MUSINGS. 

OH,  how  began  immortal  man? 

Where  was  he  when  all  was  new? 
How  came  he  here  upon  this  sphere 

Whence  the  countless  forms  we  view? 

I  cannot  show:   I  simply  know 

That  I  live,  move,  think  and  breathe, 

And  with  a  power  from  some  fair  bower 
Thoughts  and  words  in  beauty  wreathe. 

From    whence    was    brought    the    power    of 
thought  ? 

How  was  formed  the  human  mind? 
And  was  it  made  to  die  and  fade, 

No  future  to  crave  or  find? 

No !   thunders  forth  o'er  all  the  earth 

This  mighty  inspiration: 
Self  cultivate,  man  elevate, — 

Thine's  a  high  destination. 

Shall  that  command,  "  Strive  with  thy  hand 

Six  full  days  out  of  seven," 
Be  all  we  need  in  us  to  breed 

A  condition  ripe  for  heaven? 


188  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

No,  says  a  voice :   rise  and  rejoice ; 

Go,  labor  without  ceasing ; 
With  all  thy  might  serve  Truth  and  Right, 

All  thy  soul-powers  increasing : 
Simply  laboring  with  the  hands 

Will  not  satisfy  Heaven's  demands. 

How  do  we  hear?     What  makes  us  see? 

The  dead  have  both  ears  and  eyes : 
I  think  there  must  be  more  of  us 

Than  within  the  senses  lies. 

What  gives  us  taste  ?     How  do  we  feel  ? 

The  dead  have  a  tongue  and  hands, 
Yet  kiss  on  lip  or  finger-tip 

Shows  not  that  they  understand. 

Who  here  doth  know  but  joy  and  woe 

May  end  as  they  first  began, 
And  care  and  strife  cease  with  this  life, 

Thus  ending  the  hopes  of  man? 

Dwells  there  remorse  in  lifeless  corse 
When  its  earth-race  is  ended? 

Or  who  can  know  or  clearly  show 
That  soul  has  e'er  ascended? 


MIND  MUSINGS.  189 

Man  doth  aspire  for  something  higher 

Than  in  life  he  has  attained: 
But  does  that  prove  there  is  above 

Endless  life  to  be  maintained? 

Demand  is  cause,  supply  effect; 

And  as  they  each  other  speed, 
May  we  not  say  another  day 

For  mankind  has  been  decreed? 

Sometimes  I  feel  a  burning  zeal 

To  know  more  of  life  and  self, 
And  that  spirit  will  inherit 

Something  more  than  earth's  poor  pelf. 

But  whence  we  came,  or  whither  go, 

I  know  not,  nor  can  tell; 
But  this  I  know,  where'er  we  go 

Is  best,  and  all  is  well. 


WHISPERS. 

SLANDER  is  the  filth  that  accumulates  in  diseased 
minds. 

Idleness  is  the  seed  that  brings  forth  poverty  and 
crime. 


190  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 


ASK  ME  NOT  TO   LISTEN. 

OH,  ask  me   not  to   listen   to   the   sound   of  idle 

words : 
I  would  much  rather  harken  to  the  music  of  the 

birds  ; 
Then  time  is  not  so  plenty  that   I   can    throw  it 

away,— 
Therefore  please  keep  your  gossip,  I  abhor  its  vile 

display. 

Oh,  ask  me  not  to  listen  to  any  slanderous  trash ; 
My  moments  are  too  precious,  they  bring  me  my 

ready  cash  ; 
And   I   must  not   employ   them   in   garnering   up 

gross  filth, 
When    I    know    a   nobler   use    would    return    me 

greater  wealth. 

Show   me   none   of  the    arrows    that   others   may 

shoot  at  me, — 
They  may  be  tipped  with  poison  and  might  wound 

or  injure  thee: 


ASK   ME   NOT    TO   LISTEN.  191 

So  leave  alone  such  weapons  when  you  go  among 

your  friends, 
For  fear  they  might  suspicion  you  of  mean,  ignoble 

ends. 

Do    not    bestrew   my   pathway  with    temptation's 

loathsome  seeds, — 
They  might  destroy  my  flowers,  when  naught  but 

unwholesome  weeds 
Would  spring  up  in  their  places  to  make  me  sadly 

repine : 
Oh,  give  me  something  purer,  more  beautiful  and 

divine. 

Pour  not  in  the  friendly  ear  those  accursed  cor 
roding  drops 

Which  curdle  our  greatest  joys  and  the  stream  of 
pleasure  stops, 

But  bestow  upon  the  soul  wisdom,  charity  and 
love, 

Teaching  all  a  nobler  use  for  their  talents  from 
above. 

Oh,  gather  not  up  the  filth  which  floats  down  the 

stream  of  life ; 
Empty  your  mental  pockets  of  all  low  and  paltry 

strife  ; 


192  WHISPERS   AXD   ECHOES. 

Firmly  grasp  the  hand  of  right :  it  will  lead  you 

to  that  rest 
Where   the   pure   and    true    are    happy,  the  good 

supremely  blest. 

Display  not  within  my  sight  deformities  of  others, 
But  show  me  the  brightest  side  of  my  sisters  and 

brothers : 
I    much    prefer    the    sunshine    to    the  dark    and 

gloomy  night, 
And  I  feel  far  more  secure  in  its  warm  and  genial 

light. 

I  do  not  like  to  inhale  the  miasma  of  the  swamps, 
It  gives   a  freezing  ague  which   my  being   sorely 

cramps : 
Then    I    feel   a  purer   air   would   give   far  better 

health, 
Uncharged  by  lies   and  scandal  which    complete 

some  people's  wealth. 

I    have    no   wish   to   handle   any  serpent's    slimy 

coils, 

Nor  longing  disposition  for  domesticated  broils : 
My  two  hands  are  best  employed  when  relieving 

of  the  poor, 
Keeping  the   wolf   of   hunger  from   the   weeping 

orphan's  door. 


ASK  ME  NOT   TO  LISTEN. 


Public  or  private  meddlers  are  great  nuisances  at 

best, 
And  oft  excite  within  us  a  deep  prayer  with  this 

request, — 

That  God  will  soon  deliver  our  broad  land  from 
all  that  class, 

And  to  some  other  country  give  to  each  a  gratis 
pass. 

It  is  a  quaint  old  adage,  I'm  inclined  to  think  it 

true, 
That  the  cur  that  brings   one  bone   never  leaves 

with  less  than  two  : 

Therefore  I  ask  all  persons  with  such  a  disposition 
To  seek  some  other  quarter  to  launch  their  petty 

mission. 

'Tis  roses  we  should  gather  as  we  tread  the  up 
ward  road, — 

They'll  bless  us  most  hereafter  in  our  summer- 
land  abode, 

Where  each  one  a  bright  jewel  in  our  crown  we 
there  will  see, 

As  we  sound  the  angel  chorus  to  the  song  of 
jubilee. 

The  good  we  do  will  follow,  no  matter  where  we 

may  go  ; 
So  also  will   the   baseness   that  we   in    the    world 

may  sow : 


194  WHKPEES   AKD   ECHOES. 

Therefore   please    do  not   blame   me  if  my  words 

are  somewhat  plain, — 
I  long  to  see  all  beings  on  a  higher  mental  plane. 

Then  ask  me  not  to  listen  while  you  others'  faults 
parade  ; 

Leave  off  the  accursed  habit,  no  longer  self  de 
grade. 

Stop  tattling,  slandering,  lying ;  let  your  nobler 
powers  shine, 

Then  my  glad  ear  shall  hearken  and  my  speech  be 
ever  fine. 


WHISPERS. 

A  HAPPY  disposition  is  like  the  breath  of  roses  : 
it  gladdens  the  heart,  and  sheds  a  sweet  fragrance 
o'er  all  the  earth. 

Impress  not  psychologically  the  mind  of  any 
with  the  thought  that  they  are  bad.  Sometimes 
men  are  made  liars  and  thieves  by  calling  them 
such. 

Anger  is  like  the  boomerang:  the  higher  it  as 
cends,  the  deeper  it  wounds  in  its  return. 


INFINITUDE.  H95 


INFINITUDE. 

WHAT    art    thou  that  man   should   seek   thee   to 

clasp, 
Or  hold  full  comprehension  in  his  grasp 

Of  all  thou  art? 

For  time  nor  deity  could  e'er  enhance 
Thy  vast  and  illimitable  expanse 

In  any  part. 

Thou  art  centre  and  circumference  in  one, 
Through  which  unending  worlds  their  orbits  run 

Eternally. 

God's  great  domain,  unbounded,  unconfined, 
Graced  and  adorned  by  his  inspiring  mind 

Supernally. 

All  heights  and  depths  are  lost  in  thy  extent; 
Immensity  itself  is  fully  spent 

In  founding  thee. 

While  wisdom  of  Nature  exalted  soars, 
And  thy  vast  arcana  fills  and  explores, 

While  bounding  thee. 


196  WHISPERS  AND   ECHOES. 

Could  man  but  travel  with  the  speed  of  thought, 
Be  with  imagination's   swift  wings  fraught 

For  untold  ages, 

He  could  not  scan  thy  unbound  volume  o'er, 
Nor  a  ten-thousandth  part  of  it  explore, — 

Scarce  one  of  its  pages. 


•WHISPERS. 

CHANGE  is  written  on  all  things  that  are, 
As  onward  rolls  God's  pond'rous  car,  — 
A  world  of  worlds,  with  unnumbered  souls, 
That  one  eternal  Cause  enfolds. 

Behold  to-day  the  flower's  sweet  breath ; 
To-morrow  it 's  embraced  by  death, 
And  faded  leaves  all  that's  left  to  tell 
Of  the  life  which  oped  its  tiny  bell. 

To-day  man's  spirit  the  earth  enjoys, 
To-morrow  seeks  some  brighter  sphere  ; 
Life  builds  a  hope ;    Death  that  destroys ; 
And  all  we  have  planned  doth  disappear. 


A  PAIR   OF   OLD   SHOES.  197 


A  PAIR  OF   OLD   SHOES. 

OLD,  worn-out  shoes,  what  strings  of  news 

You  might  to  us  unravel  — 
Of  where  you've  been  and  sights  you've  seen 

Since  you  began  to  travel. 

No  doubt  you  've  run  where  mirth  and  fun 

•Set  many  sides  to  shaking; 
And  scrapes  you  've  had  would  drive  us  mad, 

Or  set  our  bones  to  quaking. 

In  the  gay  dance  you  oft  did  prance 

And  tip  the  toe  fantastic ; 
Or  with  your  girl,  in  round-dance  whirl, 

Vied  with  things  more  elastic. 

At  church  you've  been,   where  loads  of  sin 

Were  emptied  at  the  altar, 
And  heard  folks  lie  to  Him  011  high, 

Nor  even  stop  to  falter. 

An  earnest  pair,  you  've  tended  prayer, 
And  enjoyed  the  many  greetings 

Of  those  who  go  themselves  to  show, 
Or  view  the  styles  at  meetings. 


198  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 

Oh,  what  a  heaven,  had  eyes  been  given, 
Might  have  been  seen  on  high, 

Where  bright  orbs  play  through  th'  milky  way 
As  the  evening  draweth  nigh. 

Midst  frost  and  snow  and  bright  fires'  glow 

Of  gay  saloon  and  parlor, 
Your  own  perfume,  "  eau  de  Cologne," 

Has  blent  with  Lubin's  odor. 

Your  well-shaped  shank  betrays  the  rank 
Of  the  soul ;  your  sole-leather, 

So  snug  and  warm,  preserved  from  harm 
Through  wet  and  windy  weather. 

But  fashions  rage,  and  this  fast  age 
Have  ta'en  from  you  all  merit, 

So  here  you'll  stay,  where  now  you  lay, 
Locked  up  in  this  old  garret. 

You  are  the  same  as  that  fair  dame 
Will  be,  in  a  few  brief  years, 

Who  wore  you  out  and  kicked  about 
Your  soles  with  boisterous  jeers. 

But  when  abuse  destroys  our  use 

We  will  but  slightly  vary; 
You  will  be  dry,  while  she  and  I 

May  not  feel  half  so  merry. 


CHANGE.  199 


CHANGE. 

A  LITTLE  germ  from  out  earth  springeth 
To  catch  the  sunshine  and  the  dew ; 

Heavenly  beauties  here  it  bringeth 
More  brilliant  than  the  rainbow's  hue. 

At  first  a  little  blade  appeareth, 
Then  next  a  stalk,  a  leaf  and  bud; 

Soon  a  beautiful  flower  it  beareth, 
Breathing  its  perfumed  praise  to  God. 

To  it  another  change  then  cometh, 
When  it  goes  to  its  earthly  tomb ; 

But  in  a  brighter  land  it  shineth, 

Where  flowers  of  fadeless  beauty  bloom. 

Onward  and  upward  still  ascending, 
Rising,  it  soars  to  fairer  spheres, 

More  perfect  beauties  ever  blending 
On  throughout  the  eternal  years. 

Change  is  both  giving  and  receiving, 
Making  brighter  all  that  is  here  ; 

When  most  bestowing  most  improving, 
Unfolding  for  the  angel  sphere. 


200  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

Who  would  build  for  himself  a  garden, 

O  f 

And  place  therein  a  cozy  bower, 
Then  employ  a  fine  floral  warden 
To  cultivate  a  single  flower? 

Change  is  needful  to  all  the  living, 
Expanding,  widening  mind  and  soul, 

Receiving  most  when  most  art  giving, 
By  giving  all,  obtain  the  whole. 

None  should  become  so  narrow-minded 
To  beauty  Nature  here  bestows 

As  to  be  to  other  flowers  blinded 
Because  their  taste  prefers  the  rose. 

Nature  generous  forces  lendeth 

To  give  the  world  true  happiness ; 

Power  and  beauty  forever  blendeth, 
And  by  the  change  each  other  bless. 


WHISPERS. 

CHARITY  kisses  the  hand  that  strikes, 
And  in  silence  heals  the  wound  received. 

He  who  hides  the  weakness  of  a  friend 
Bestows  a  kindness  that  has  no  end. 


CHICAGO.  201 


CHICAGO. 

ON  a  plain  stood  a  city,  the  pride  of  the  West, 
For  growth,  wealth  and  beauty  her  fame  was  the 

best ; 

Her  commerce  extended  o'er  lakes,  seas  and  lands, 
Opening  great,  broad  arms  to  industry's  hands. 

Her  schools  and  academies  of  science  'nd  art 
Brought  noble  aspiration  and  joy  to  each  heart, 
While  many  a  pupil,  resounding  her  name, 
Extolled  her  rare  beauty,  and  widened  her  fame. 

The  tall  spires  of  vast  temples,  where  many  souls 

fled 

To  offer  their  prayers  to  our  Fountain  and  Head, 
Rose  up  as  beacons  on  the  coast  of  the  skies, 
Pointing  to  a  harbor  where  no  storms  arise. 

But  where  is  she  now  ?     Ay,  let  the  fire-king  tell, 
And  all  of  those  beings  that  in  her  did  dwell, 
Who  once  had  abundance  of  earth's  golden  store, 
But  are  now  beggars  on  Lake    Michigan's  shore. 


202  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

A  spark  in  a  hovel,  caught  up  by  the  breeze, 
Shot  forth  like  a  demon  its  master  to  please. 
It  shot  madly  through  alleys  and  streets,  a  vast 

flood, 
Flaming,    roaring    and   rushing    in    fierce,     angry 

mood. 

Those  academies  of  art,  science  and  learning, 
Where  our  country's  youth,  with  noble  zeal  burn 
ing, 
Put  forth  their  efforts  to  excel  in  their  day, 

Are  now  dark  ruins  of  smouldering  decay. 

Those   churches  and   temples  with   their   dazzling 

spires 
Are  now  where  will  end  all  our  earthly  desires. 

Th'  truths  expressed  in  them  alone   will  remain 
To  bless  the  true  worshipers  on  this  domain. 

Those    beautiful   mansions   of    brick,    marble    and 

stone, 

Where  many  fond  hearts  found  a  shelter  and  home, 
Are  now  but  mere  dust  lying  at  the  roadside, 
Like  their  owners,  divested  of  glory  and  pride. 

The   red,  hot,  hissing    flames,    lashed   on   by   the 

wind, 
Licked  up  in  their  greed  ev'rything  they  could  find, 

Without  any  regard  for  the  rich  or  poor, 
While  th'   demon  of   terror  sped  swiftly  before. 


CHICAGO.  203 

Fond    fathers    and   mothers,    with    hearts    full    of 
prayer, 

Besought  the  destroyer  their  treasures  to  spare  ; 
But  while  the  red  flames  kissed  the  angel  of  night 
They   saw   their  possessions   all    pass   from    their 

sight. 

No  home  for  themselves  or  their  loved  ones  so  dear, 
Their  hearts  full  of  grief,  how  forlorn  they  appear ; 
Some  with  invalid  parents  brave  men  did  save 
From  embrace  of  the  flames  for  a  pauper's  grave. 

Look  at  that  mother  with  a  babe  on  her  breast. 
And  then  at  those  children  with  hunger  distressed  ; 
Then  behold  that  father  with  head  bowed  in  grief, 
Who  sees  their  distress,  but  can  give  no  relief. 

Homeless  widows  and  orphans — hear,   hear  their 

sad  cries ! 

How  sorrowful  'nd  mournful  their  wailings  arise, 
And  mix  with  the  roarings  of  this  tempest  of 

flame, 
Which    hurls    to    the    ground   many  mansions   of 

fame. 

Will  not  God  respect  yon  beautiful  dome, 
Beneath  which  are  found  both  an  altar  and  home 
For  all  those  good  children  of   his  upon  earth, 
Made  so  by  immersion,   adoption  and  birth? 


204  "WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

Where  now  are  his  righteous  he  hears  when  they 

pray  ? 

Oh,  let  them  engage  him  without  more  delay, 
And  ask  that  he  lull  this  tempestuous  breath, 
And  hurl  it  back  quickly  to  th'  strong  arms  of 

death. 

Proud  city  of  the  West,  accept  thy  sad  doom ; 
Bear  upward  thy  trust  through  this  darkness  and 

gloom : 

For  again  in  grandeur  more  glorious  thou  'It  rise, 
And  become  the  centre  of  our  nation's  supplies. 

A  lesson  thou  'st  learned  in  this  hour  of  thy  fall,  — 
That  an  angel  stands  ready,  at  th'  heart's  first  call, 
To  respond   to   the  cries  of  a  poor  brother, 
And  by  ties  of  friendship  link  souls  t'  each  other. 

Sister  cities  and  towns  contributed  their  mite ; 
At  thy  sufferings  fled  all  envy  and  spite, 
Each  striving  with  each,  seeing  which  should  excel 
In  bestowing  most  thy  great  woes  to  dispel. 

Th'  angel  Charity  rolled  Want's  stone  from   thy 

door, 

And  spread  out  her  vast  wings  to  shelter  thy  poor; 
For   thee  the  whole   nation   has   a  sigh  and  tear 

given, 
With  earnest  petitions  to  the  Father  in  heaven. 


CHICAGO.  205 

Preserve  thy  fair  name,  then  :  let  justice  and  truth 
Adorn    thee    and    bless    thee    once    more  in    thy 

growth : 

Then  like  a  phoenix  thou  shalt  come  forth  again, 
The  pride  of  thy  country,   the  joy  of  the   plain. 

Be   strong,  then,  Chicago,  for,  though   thou   hast 

bled, 
Thy  great  heart-  still  beats ;  ay,  and  thou  art  not 

dead; 

Nor  yet  to  disaster  a  poor,  cowardly  slave ; 
For,  like  Christ,  thou  shalt  conquer,  and  rise  from 

thy  grave. 

OCT.  15,  1871. 


WHISPERS. 

LOVE  veils  her  eyes  when  her  idol  sins, 
And  with  sweet  tears  blots  out  the  wrong. 

Grief  and  anguish  are  the  sculptors 
That  shape  us  up  to  the  divine. 

Conscience  smites  the  great  giant  Wrong, 
And  binds  him  with  a  thread  of  right. 

Revenge  is  the  coward's  weapon, 

With  which  he  strikes  when  least  exposed. 


206  WHISPERS   AND  ECHOES. 


THE   OLD   YEAR. 

SPEAK  softly,  th'  old  year  is  dying,  — 

Low  twelve,  and  he'll  be  no  more ; 
His  spirit  is  fast  departing, 

It  brinks  the  eternal  shore. 
Tread  lightly,  nor  break  the  quiet 

That  hangs  o'er  the  solemn  hour; 
Your  adieus  most  gently  whisper 

To  this  monarch  shorn  of  his  power. 

Whatever  of  good  he  brought  you, 

Give  praise,  rejoice  and  be  glad ; 
Whatever  of  ills,  remember 

They  might  have  been  far  more  sad; 
Let  only  kindest  thoughts  linger 

Within  sweet  memory's  urn, 
And  for  the  joys  of  the  old  year 

Your  heartfelt  praises  return. 

We  too,  like  the  year,  are  dying: 
Our  end  may  not  be  so  nigh, 

But  soon  low  twelve  will  be  knelling 
Our  last  and  final  good-by. 


DO   YOUR   BEST.  207 

Then  whatever  of  good  or  evil 
We've  done  to  bring  joy  or  pain, 

Will  bring  to  us  peace  or  sorrow 
In  our  last  final  refrain. 

Good-by,  Old  Year,  and  be  happy, — 

I  see  thou  art  almost  gone ; 
Rest,  rest  henceforth  from  thy  labors, 

Enjoy  the  crown  thou  hast  won. 
Th'  New  Year  is  blowing  his  whistle, 

He  jostles   Old  Time  to-night ; 
Like  the  Christ  babe  in  the  manger, 

He  heralds  a  world  of  liffht. 


DO   YOUR  BEST. 

SHINE  on :    though  other  stars  more  bright 
Reflect  a  larger,  clearer  light, 

You  do  your  best ; 
If  but  one  talent  has  been  given, 
Use  for  humanity  and  heaven 

The  small  bequest. 


208  WHISPERS   AND   ECHOES. 

Let  ev'ry  act  be  nobly  done, 
Let  ev'ry  race  be  fairly  won, 

Where  e'er  you  dwell ; 
In  all  you  think,  in  all  you  do, 
Be  to  your  self  divinely  true, — 

Seek  to  excel. 

Think  not  the  ladder  all  thine  own 
Which  leads  to  Truth's  eternal  throne 

And  wisdom's  fount. 
No :  it  belongs  to  all  the  race, 
And  ev'ry  round  the  soul  must  trace 

To  higher  mount. 

Let  critics  pick  and  blockheads  scoff, 
Let  donkeys  bray  and  witlings  laugh, 

It  is  their  right ; 
Your  little  fountain  still  let  flow 
To  those  poor  souls  who  wait  below 

Asking  for  light. 

The  moon  does  quite  as  much  when  dark, 
With  its  calm  face  and  borrowed  spark, 

As  though  a  sun  ; 
Thus  all  who  do  their  duty  here, 
Be  it  in  high  or  lowly  sphere, 

May  sing,  Well  done. 


TO   A  JANUARY  FLO  WEE.  209 

Fear  not,  then,  should  thy  little  ray 
Be  dimmed  by  some  great  orb  of  day; 

Shine  on,  shine  on, — 
Thy  efforts  will  be  understood 
And  end  in  universal  good 

When  life  is  done. 


TO  A   JANUARY  FLOWER. 

YE  little,  smiling,  bonny  gem, 
Suspended  by  your  dainty  stem, 

Whence  did  ye  come? 
And  if  ye  will  not  count  me  rude 
One  other  question  I'd  intrude, 

Where's  been  your  home  ? 

Sure,  when  the  year  grew  gray  and  old, 
And  storms  and  winds  blew  bleak  and  cold, 

Ye  were  not  here ; 
For  had  ye  been,  my  pretty  flower, 
Jack  Frost  would  have  crept  in  your  bower 

And  nipped  your  ear. 


210  WHISPERS    AND    ECHOES. 

But  yester'  morn  where  now  ye  are 
I  saw  a  wee  bud,  bright  and  fair 

With  coat  of  green  ; 
May  be  some  genii  turned  the  bud 
Into  yourself  with  magic  rod, — 

Wast  so,  sweet  queen  ? 

And  may  the  genii  not  return, 
And  into  something  higher  turn 

Yourself  again, 

And  thus  keep  on  until  ye  rise 
And  crown  the  fairest  floral  prize 

On  angel  plain  ? 

Methinks  I  see  ye  now  ascend 

By  that  rare  sweetness  which  doth  lend 

Your  spirit  wings, 

And,  as  your  bright  form  floats  away, 
Within  the  soul  methinks  you  say, 

"  Death  has  no  stings." 

That  beauty  is  the  child  of  love 
Which  doth  descend  from  realms  above 

To  souls  refined, 

That  it  may  bud  and  blossom  here, 
And  shed  its  fragrance  ev'rywhere 

To  bless  mankind. 


THE  HERMIT'S  CELL.  211 


THE   HERMIT'S    CELL. 

GIVE  me  the  hermit's  cell  where  quiet  reigns, 
Rather  than  the  busy  mart  where  sordid  gains 
Distort  the  better  nature  of  mankind, 
And  drag  the  image  of  the  eternal  mind 
From  its  high  seat  of  glory,  pure  and  fair, 
Down,  down  to  lowest  depths  of  dumb  despair. 

Though  outwardly  the  first  seems  most  alone, 
Shut  out  from  fellowship  with  those  who  roam 
In  social  groups  the  cities  of  the  earth, 
Where    all   is  bright   with   youth   and   beaming 

mirth, 

Yet  'tis  not  so :   for  in  soul  he  doth  walk 
Where  countless  angels  with  his  spirit  talk. 

His  is  the  better  state,  for  he  is  free, — 
No  custom  binds  him  with  distasteful  bands  ; 
The  brook,  field,  forest  and  immensity 
All  speak  of  a  glorious  liberty, 
Beyond  earth's  ever-changing,  shifting  sand, 
Where    naught    but    love   and    truth    the    soul 
expand. 


212  WHISPERS  AND  ECHOES. 

Hunger  nor  thirst  cloth  e'er  his  vitals  gnaw, 
His  wants  are  such  as  only  heaven  inspires  ; 
He  lives  above  that  inhuman,  human  law 
That  feeds  the  passions  from  pollution's  craw; 
The  pabulum  of  thought  from  reason's  fires 
Gives  full  nourishment  to  his  soul's  desires. 

Oh !  blessed  state,  to  be  thus  housed  with  good, 
Away  from  envy,  malice  and  deceit, 
From  lies  and  villanies,  that  shameful  brood 
That  hatches  out  within  the  multitude, 
And  drags  man  down  to  that  low  retreat 
Where  vice  sits  supreme  'nd  ruin  is  complete. 

No  voice  but  that  of  Nature  greets  the  ear, 
No  sight  but  her  to  meet  the  grateful  eye, 
On  her  pure  breast  he  rests  devoid  of  fear, — 
Her  guarding  spirit,  ever  standing  near, 
Bids  him  the  Saviour  Truth  to  deify, 
For  those  who  worship  it  can  never  die. 


WHISPERS. 


As  spice  gives  relish  to  the  food, 
So  wit  and  humor  warm  the  blood. 


A  DESIKE.  213 


A  DESIRE. 

LET  this  frail  tenement  of  clay 

Enrich  the  earth  from  whence  it  came, 

But  as  we  pass  from  it  away 

May  there  no  sense  of  grief  or  shame 

Disturb  us  for  a  deed  we've  done 

Nor  rob  us  of  one  laurel  won. 

Our  life  is  like  a  summer's  day, — 

Our  morning  fresh  and  sweet  with  flowers; 

Our  noonday  bright  without  decay 
Of  one  of  Nature's  noblest  powers ; 

Our  evening,  may  it  be  serene 

As  early  morning  life  has  been. 

Clouds  have  swept  o'er  us,  oft  and  dark, 
And  some  were  fierce  and  full  of  storm, 

But  still  they  did  not  drive  our  bark 
On  rocks  or  shoals  that  could  us  harm : 

A  guiding  hand  there  seemed  to  be 

To  act  as  pilot  through  life's  sea. 

Oh  !    guiding  Hand,  what  e'er  thou  art, 

Continue  on  to  lead  us  still, 
That  we  may  act  the  noblest  part 

Of  life  in  going  down  life's  hill ; 
That  when  death's  valley  we  shall  roam, 
Our  works  may  live,  though  we  be  gone. 


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